Government action to the exodus of Filipino teachers

The human capital theory stipulates that the more and better educated a people, the greater the chances of economic development.

However, the exodus of Filipino educators to other countries like the United States, has created a vacuum in the education sector. The best teachers in English, Science and Math are leaving in droves, and many of those remaining in the country are those often ill-trained, if not incompetent.

One of the thrusts of Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus for this year includes the forming of a core staff of Science and Mathematics supervisors and master teachers, train education managers throughout the country, and hone the skills of non-teaching personnel.

"Our schools are only as good as our teachers," Lapus said, "and while we do have many good teachers throughout the country, we need to improve the skills of many others, especially those who are non-majors in English, Science and Math.

"Many Filipino teachers have also left for China and Thailand, which may not be offering salaries as high as the US, but still way above the salary rates in the Philippines.

Scores of school teachers have also left to take on jobs as domestic helpers or caregivers in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Canada, among other destinations.

Annie Enriquez-Geron, general secretary of the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLink), said widespread corruption, deplorable working conditions and low pay in the education sector has pushed many Filipino teachers, particularly young women educators, to work overseas.

"The exodus has contributed to the shortage in teachers. Moreover, the teaching profession is no longer attractive to the youth," Enriquez- Geron lamented.

Without a competitive salary, the best teachers in the country will remain teaching somewhere else. GMA News