DAVAO'S LET TOPNOTCHERS

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF COUN. MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA
May 6, 2008
17th Regular Session, 15th City Council

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DAVAO CITY SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE CONCRETE POLICY MEASURES THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE L.E.T. TOPNOTCHERS TO TEACH IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY FACILITATING AND FASTTRACKING THE MEANS BY WHICH THEY COULD BE IN THE ROSTER AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER


Thank you Mr. Majority Floor Leader.

Madam President, colleagues in the City Council, friends in the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

In these times of crises such as an imminent rice shortage, the increasing price of fuel, and other news of ill foreboding, Davao City gets a whiff of fresh air courtesy of high performing Teacher Training Institutions such as the University of Mindanao, the Holy Cross of Davao College, and the high achieving Ateneo de Davao University, and their recent topnotchers.

The feel-good news is that in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) conducted on April 6, 2008 and released almost a month later on April 30, 2008, Teacher Training Institutions in Davao City produced the following topnotchers nation-wide in the Elementary Level:

1. Benjelita Laguidong Babao of the University of Mindanao – placed Second at the national level, with a rating of 90.20%;
2. Nithel Fe Taguibolosan Cornelio of the Holy Cross of Davao College – placed Number 10, together with,
3. Genelyn Ibanez Rosendo also of the University of Mindanao, both with a rating of 87.20%.

In the Secondary (High School) Level:

4. Edwin Oscar Ulgasan Gutierrez, Jr. of the Ateneo de Davao University – placed 8th with a rating of 88.00%.

These four (4) LET passers have shown that the education institutions in these parts of the country are at par, if not more outstanding than some of the more prestigious education institutions in the country.

From the blogs of teacher-examinees, they attest that the questions were challenging and difficult. As a matter of fact, for the August 2007 LET results, out of 57,723 examinees in the Secondary level, only 16, 811 or 29.12% passed; and in the Elementary level, out of 66,709 teacher examinees, only 18, 376 or 27.55% passed. From last years’ data, it is not farfetched that the 2008 LET results would not be far behind as to the low percentage of passing. This means that to top the examination or to be within the top ten, is indeed an achievement for which all Dabawenyos should be proud.

According to DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, the next Licensure Examination for Teachers is slated to be conducted on September 28, 2008 or in about three months. It is hoped that we will have more in the top ten.

This representation thought all along that LET topnotchers automatically are given first priority in teacher positions in the public schools. However, I was apprised that even topnotchers still have to undergo the usual application procedure. I hope that the policymakers in the head office of DepEd reconsider this and make measures that would entice and encourage Teacher’s Board topnotchers to teach in the public schools where their talent and dedication are directly and urgently needed. I do not see why they still have to go through the usual routine when they have proven their mettle as topnotchers. It would serve the DepEd well as well as the Davao City School Board, and the constituency, that these bright young teachers find it easy to get into the roster of public school teachers, rather than be employed in private institutions, or join the brain drain and think of teaching in other countries.

In the appointment of teachers, those that top the licensure exams ought to be given priority through an “express lane” so to speak, to ensure that DepEd, and ergo, our public schoolteachers, get the best. This policy measure shall also serve as incentive to would-be teachers. This may be a small measure, but it proves to be a big step further on with the long term impact on the performance of the students due to bright and dedicated mentors like these topnotchers.

Likewise, we should not also forget to give our teachers continuing education to upgrade their skills. The Mentoring the Mentors program ought to be supported not only by the government but also by the private sector in the same way that they support the Adopt-A-School Program. This representation shall continue to advocate strategies and projects that will benefit the teachers so that they in turn will be able to teach our children better. Continued teacher training is necessary to keep up with global teaching trends. After all, a teacher cannot give what she doesn’t have, particularly in teaching strategies.

Again, I commend our four Dabawenyo topnotchers and their respective institutions. We are proud of you. Congratulations and mabuhay.