By Anthony A. Araos
Who is this school figure you would still remember in your student days? Very likely you would say it’s the teacher and you would be drawn to an answer related to the said person’s presence in the classroom.
Many referred to the teacher as “integral” to one’s life because he or she molds the mind of the learner. Others say the teacher is the “second parent” of pupils.
The incredible blessing of helping learners also comes from non-teaching personnel. By helping them you can’t help but say they are also pillars of the education sector.
These challenges make me question what highly-placed educators in Ifugao are doing to improve their plight at a time most of them are feeling persistent stress due financial constraints.
One of the most profound questions an observer can ask at this point of time is, “How can the Department of Education (DepEd) help Administrative Officers (AOs) and Administrative Assistants (ADAs) cope up with the high cost of living? This simple question allows many others to express their sentiments for their needs, resonating the plea: “They need help!”
The Ifugao Schools Division Office (SDO) has a good history of doing good deeds for non-teaching personnel. For instance, take the just-concluded Hybrid Capacity-building Training Program of non-teaching personnel in Lagawe.
Yes, the SDO wants to help. Something wonderful happens every
Timely lecturers on Accounting for non-accountants, Computer Skills Enhancement, Records Management Skills and Property Custodianship are conducted. Thus, I’m commending Aireen Nayao, Richard Butale, Natividad Binwag and Maureen Fajardo. I only wish they’ll be back for more insightful lectures in the near future. The emergence of articulate and knowledgeable lecturers in this part of the Cordilleras, hints at an even stronger future for capability-centered development among AOs and ADAs across the province.
Indeed, this program can add an entirely new dimension to AOs and ADAs relationship to all stakeholders. To my mind, it’s high time to go beyond a good performance of an AO and ADA. Better seek the best performance at most times. Best performance proves the capacity of non-teaching personnel to handle tasks effectively and efficiently.
Coincidentally, I see the need for the provision of increased analytical capabilities.
I saw a deep talent pool among the attendees (261 of them). Just like the mentors, the AOs and ADAs are overworked but underpaid. They’re adapting to economic difficulties while continuing to discharge their duties even this summer time. More training, increased staffing, revising internal operations, providing better equipment and training support shall produce favorable results. A better deal fits well for all of them.
And in the irony of ironies, many of the children of AOs and ADAs are studying in public schools. Fact: nine out 10 pupils aged 10 years cannot read simple text. Don’t just sit there. Do something positive. First and foremost, figure how to dramatically improve teacher training. Stop deluding Ifugao folks that everything is ok.
It is very helpful to remind each one that education is a vital instrument in preparing the young to the challenges of the future. Yet, public schools mass produce elementary graduates who cannot really read.
Why, indeed should we pay attention to issues of inadequacy of public spending to education, stagnation of the quality of lives of teaching and non-teaching personnel, among others?
This is a refreshing development in the face of all these uncertainties amid the lingering effects of the energy crisis. Kudos to SEPS-HRD Joel Gulguluway for a highly-successful endeavor! At the Ifugao SDS, we now have Virginia Amogan-Batan at the helm as it is necessary to ensure this development continues to redound to the public benefit.
Without this activity, it would be difficult to secure meaningful participation in pursuit of efficiency among lowly-paid non-teaching personnel.
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