Since the first time pre-school education or kindergarten program has become an optional part of the education program of the country, it has already gained the support and following of parents from among the central schools where it has been offered. Central figure to its success are the pre-school teachers who offered their services even when there is no salary except a small honorarium from the parents.
As a result, so called PTA Funded pre-schools flourished through out key central schools all over the country in the eighties. When the Department of Education encourages all schools to establish pre-school programs, partnership with LGU’s came into being. LGU’s provided for the honorarium of pre-school teachers from the Special Education Fund and other sources whenever possible.
Later on, a Preschool Service Contracting Program was instituted by DepEd which is an alternative delivery system to provide preschool education to prospective Grade I enrollees throughout the country through contracting.
Preschool classes are organized in the 5th and 6th municipalities and urban poor areas, and are provided preschool experiences for six months by private preschool providers. It appears however that most of the time the same teachers who are receiving small amount of honorarium from their respective LGU’s have applied to the program giving them additional income.
However, this is not the case in small municipalities who could not afford to give honorarium to preschool teachers who are also under the service contracting program. They just settle for it even when many times they have to wait for a long time—months, before they can receive the three thousand pesos monthly payments for their service.
What is wonderful about them is the fact they are doing their job in the best way that they can like any ordinary public school teacher. They even surpass expectations. And they are doing with it pride. A fact that remuneration though of course is very important has no relation in ones efficiency and effectiveness towards work. It is the attitude that matters and counts.
While preschool teachers are silent about their situation it is because they know where they are from the very beginning. For most of these preschool teachers, it is not a big deal whether they receive enough or too little remuneration because it is there choice. Nobody forced them into it. And that choice is to serve.
Indeed, they are our modern day education heroes which should be applauded by each one of us. If the government couldn’t yet give a decent financial reward for them momentarily, at least slowly through other means like health insurance, life and accident insurance, and retirement benefits as what the law requires.
True that majority of these teachers are not complaining, but they should be dignified and the current contracting scheme be reviewed and studied for no matter what they do represent the noblest of all professions which should not be sidetracked.
As a result, so called PTA Funded pre-schools flourished through out key central schools all over the country in the eighties. When the Department of Education encourages all schools to establish pre-school programs, partnership with LGU’s came into being. LGU’s provided for the honorarium of pre-school teachers from the Special Education Fund and other sources whenever possible.
Later on, a Preschool Service Contracting Program was instituted by DepEd which is an alternative delivery system to provide preschool education to prospective Grade I enrollees throughout the country through contracting.
Preschool classes are organized in the 5th and 6th municipalities and urban poor areas, and are provided preschool experiences for six months by private preschool providers. It appears however that most of the time the same teachers who are receiving small amount of honorarium from their respective LGU’s have applied to the program giving them additional income.
However, this is not the case in small municipalities who could not afford to give honorarium to preschool teachers who are also under the service contracting program. They just settle for it even when many times they have to wait for a long time—months, before they can receive the three thousand pesos monthly payments for their service.
What is wonderful about them is the fact they are doing their job in the best way that they can like any ordinary public school teacher. They even surpass expectations. And they are doing with it pride. A fact that remuneration though of course is very important has no relation in ones efficiency and effectiveness towards work. It is the attitude that matters and counts.
While preschool teachers are silent about their situation it is because they know where they are from the very beginning. For most of these preschool teachers, it is not a big deal whether they receive enough or too little remuneration because it is there choice. Nobody forced them into it. And that choice is to serve.
Indeed, they are our modern day education heroes which should be applauded by each one of us. If the government couldn’t yet give a decent financial reward for them momentarily, at least slowly through other means like health insurance, life and accident insurance, and retirement benefits as what the law requires.
True that majority of these teachers are not complaining, but they should be dignified and the current contracting scheme be reviewed and studied for no matter what they do represent the noblest of all professions which should not be sidetracked.
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