Armm hires 192 additional teachers in Sulu

By Teng L. Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief

Jolo, Sulu — The Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has hired 192 new public school teachers in Sulu.

Armm Governor Mujiv Hataman signed the appointment papers and deployment orders of the teachers who will be sent to different public elementary and secondary schools in the province.  Hataman was assisted by Dr. Tim Undain-Sanchez, Sulu schools division superintendent.

The teachers were hired after undergoing a screening process that includes validation of their credentials, a comprehensive examination, a teaching demonstration, and a panel interview that guarantees only good quality teachers will be hired.

“Definitely hindi ko kayo kilala. Na-appoint kayo dahil competent kayo, hindi dahil may kumausap sa akin at may ‘malakas’ sa akin,” Hataman said.

He added that applicants were assessed on equal footing to eliminate nepotism and ‘palakasan system’ (system of patronage) that reportedly beset the DepEd-Armm’s hiring of new teachers in previous years.

Hataman challenged the newly hired teachers to help improve the status of basic education in the region by giving their full commitment to teaching and in nurturing the holistic development of students.

“Kung hindi nag-improve ‘yung quality ng education sa schools kung saan kayo na-deploy, ibig sabihin mali na na-appoint kayo,” Hataman said.

A special body from the regional government was also created to monitor the teachers’ timely reporting to their assigned schools and their compliance with the terms of their deployment. Presently, there are more than 500 public elementary and secondary schools in Sulu.

The Armm is composed of nine divisions that include Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. (with reports from bpi-armm)