ARMM hires 562 teachers in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 27 (PIA) --- The Education Department in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) hired 562 teachers in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

The newly-hired teachers signed their appointment papers and deployment orders for assignments to different public elementary and secondary schools in the region on April 25.

ARMM Education Secretary Dr. John Magno, chief of staff Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., and other DepEd-ARMM officials attended the mass signing. Of the 562 newly hired teachers, 238 will be deployed in Maguindanao and 324 in Lanao del Sur.

“More quality teachers are now being hired because our department (DepEd-ARMM) has improved its hiring and screening process,” Sec. Magno said. Before signing their appointments, the teachers had to pass competency examination, panel interview and teaching demonstration.

“This mechanism guarantees that only quality teachers will be hired and we want teachers that will guide the students on the right road towards a progressive future,” he added.

“At first I was hesitant in applying for a teaching position in DepEd-ARMM because I’ve heard there is ‘palakasan system’ (system of patronage), but still I tried and now I’m glad because out of thousands of teacher applicants, I’m signing my appointment now,” said Hasniya Abas, 25, of Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.

She said the current hiring process is more transparent, unlike before when it was tarnished by issues of bribery and connections. She was a private school teacher for two years and applied for a DepEd-ARMM teaching position last April 2015. She said it is her calling to help mold the minds of school children in ARMM.

The newly hired teachers’ first task will be to lead activities under the National Schools Maintenance Week, or the ‘Brigada Eskwela,’ starting May 30. Sec. Magno said newly appointed teachers’ signing of appointments in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi is scheduled next week.

The Commision on Elections (Comelec) has exempted several government agencies, including DepEd, from the ban on hiring during election season in connection with the May 2016 polls.

As stated in Comelec Resolution No. 10030, the Comelec has given the authority to hire, appoint, or transfer officers or employees to the Office of the President, the courts and several other government agencies. (BPI/PIA-10)