Retired University of the Philippines professor and now Department of Social Work and Development Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo today expressed her solidarity with and congratulations to all teachers in the country as the Philippines celebrates World  Teachers Day.

Annually since 1994, World Teachers Day is observed after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared that education, culture and communication are the means to building peace.

UNESCO inaugurated World Teachers’ Day in 1994 to focus attention on the contributions and achievements of teachers, and to highlight teachers’ concerns and priorities regarding education.

October 5 was selected as the date to internationally celebrate teachers day because on that date in 1966 a special intergovernmental conference adopted the UNESCO recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. For the first time, this recommendation gave teachers throughout the world an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights. To adopt this recommendation, governments unanimously recognized the importance for society to have competent, qualified and motivated teachers.

“I give tribute to all Filipino teachers on this day for all their hard work and commitment to their vocation to teach the youth and guide them so that they can have productive lives as independent members of society. Our public school teachers, in particular, also carry the responsibility of being the partners of the DSWD in carrying out some of its programs for children and the youth. The DSWD’s Supplementary Feeding Program, for instance, is one such program wherein our social workers coordinate with teachers in helping children from underprivileged families  address their health and  nutrition needs,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

“Teachers are also DSWD partners during disaster relief operations as they assist LGUs and the DSWD Field Offices in distributing relief goods and organizing evacuation centers,” she added.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that school teachers are also supportive of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte’s desire for peace in the Philippines through negotiations.

“Our teachers are very conscious of social issues and they support calls for genuine social change that will benefit the poor and working people,” she said.

Sec. Taguiwalo also expressed full support for the call of public school teachers for higher salaries and the passage of the Magna Carta for private school teachers. #