CAGAYAN de Oro City — A simple greeting, a pat on the shoulder or calling a student by name can help a learner feel seen and cared for, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
But as teachers are urged to give more of themselves to their students, some educators are asking: Who is checking on the teachers?
Angara made the call during the National Teachers’ Month celebration at the Limketkai Atrium here on September 5, urging teachers to make extra effort to connect with learners in an increasingly digital world.
“A warm hug, a warm pat on the shoulder, even saying hi and mentioning the name of every learner. Let’s make extra effort, let’s do the extra mile,” Angara said.
He said teachers are more than authority figures in schools. They can also serve as a second home for learners and may be among the first to notice changes in a student's behavior and well-being.
“Kailangang isipin natin ang ating mga roles, mga responsibilidad po natin ngayon. Hindi lang po tayo tumatayong authority figure sa ating mga eskwelahan, kundi tayo ay pangalawang tahanan ng ating mga learners,” he said.
Angara also recognized the sacrifices of teachers, saying the demands of the profession have become so heavy that some educators have little time left for their personal lives.
“Hindi na nga umuuwi sa kanilang mga bahay, hindi na nakakapag-date, hindi na nakakapagpanood ng bagong sine dahil sa inyong dedikasyon sa inyong mga trabaho,” he said.
He also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for providing lapel microphones to teachers nationwide through the Malacañang social fund.
‘How about the teachers?’
For one elementary school teacher in Misamis Oriental who requested anonymity, checking on learners is already part of their daily routine.
She said teachers greet their pupils every morning and ask if they have eaten and what they had for breakfast or lunch.
“Amo mana among gin-apply, Ma'am. I-ask mga bata after greetings sa morning, kamustahon na mo sila—nakakaon ba, unsay sud-an,” she told Gold Star Daily.
But she said the same concern should also be extended to teachers.
Her question: Are teachers themselves being asked how they are coping with the demands of the new curriculum and the trisemester system?
She said teachers can be required to report for duties even during weekends and holidays, particularly those serving as coaches for school activities.
Her concern comes as this year's National Teachers' Month carries the theme “Teacher, Ikaw Naman,” highlighting the sacrifices and important role of teachers in the lives of learners.
For teachers, she said, caring for students should not mean overlooking the people who provide that care.
As schools continue to ask teachers to go the extra mile for learners, educators hope the same attention will be given to their workload, well-being and time away from school.
Recycled chairs for learners
During the celebration, Angara also joined McDonald’s representatives in the turnover of chairs made from recycled materials for learners.
The initiative aims to support schools while promoting sustainability.
