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By Teng L. Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief

Cotabato City — At least 75 newly-hired teachers for the province of Maguindanao were added to the roster of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, this month.

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During the signing of the teachers’ appointment papers, Armm Gov. Mujiv Hataman said teaching is more of service and commitment than a livelihood.

“You chose this path because it is your passion — because you are committed and determined that you want our youth to learn. The regional government will not neglect your efforts and will provide what you deserve,” he said.

Debunking the misconception that appointments in Armm are tainted with corruption, Hataman said those appointed are qualified and do not have so-called backers. A mechanism was made to ensure that appointees are well-distributed to schools that are in need. Along with the appointment order is a deployment order.

In his first appearance as the newly appointed Deped-Armm Secretary, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. reminded the teachers that the region’s “youth is expecting to receive quality education.”

Elpigenia Apellido, a 41-year old single mother with two children, is one of the 75 appointees who started teaching yesterday.

“Excited ako na may halong kaba,” she said after signing her appointment paper and deployment order.

Her appointment was 18 years in the making. Since her graduation in 1999, Apellido served as a factory worker in Luzon and also as a farmer in her hometown, Sultan Kudarat.

During the past two years, she served as a volunteer teacher in Kulasi Elementary School where she did not receive compensation.

Previously teaching in makeshift classrooms to underprivileged children, she is now eager to go back as a full-fledged teacher and help her students who usually go to school without basic supplies such as pens and notebooks.

“As a teacher and the second mother of my students, I play an important role in nurturing them for their future,” she said. “It’s never too late to reach for your dream.” (with reports from bpi armm)

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