ARMM hires 75 new teachers for Maguindanao, more expected to get jobs

Another teacher, Johaira Ali, also thanked and praised Gov. Hataman for hiring them, saying, they waited for this for a long time. “I’m excited to be finally appointed by the ARMM Department of Education because I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” she said.
 
Musarafah Ebrahim, a teacher who shared her own excitement, said: “I’m happy to be here. I’ve always found joy in teaching, and I feel like this is truly the job for me.”

Atty. Mitmug reminded the teachers of their crucial role as educators. “Many of the youth here in the ARMM are hoping to receive quality education in our public school system, and the backbone of good and quality education are good and qualified teachers.”

Ali and Ebrahim, both of whom have served as volunteer teachers prior to their appointment, know their responsibility all too well.
 
Threat of terrorism
 
Ali acknowledged the unique challenges in the region, especially with the threat of terrorism and the vulnerability of the youth when it came to the ongoing recruitment of local terror groups.
 
“I always remind my students to be critical and to refuse when someone recruits them into an unknown group with the promise of a better life. I tell them that joining organizations that promote violence and terror will do nothing to help our community. It will only make our critical situation worse,” Ali said.
 
Ebrahim, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of education to her students.
 
“I tell them not to join those kinds of groups because it will do nothing for their future. Failing to prioritize their education will only result to them being left behind as the rest of the community works towards peace and development,” she said.

She also worked on her students’ social skills and sense of community. “It’s important to me that they learn how to socialize and interact with other people. I’ve encountered students who were very shy, but with a bit of encouragement they’re now more open to their peers,” she shared.

Catalysts for change
 
Seated at the next table was Sandria Mustapha, a former volunteer teacher who was set to be appointed as a public school teacher as well. “Everybody says this, but I’m really passionate about teaching,” Mustapha said. “I used to volunteer in a high school in Buluan. As a teacher, I believe we are catalysts for change. Once you’re a teacher, you’re changing the lives of children you’re handling.”

“Values-based education is important,” she added. Every day, we must remind the students of the values we hold dear as Muslims and the values we share with the rest of humanity. It is our responsibility to constantly impress upon that terrorism is wrong.”

Serve the nation
 
Atty. Mitmug also told the teachers that “you may encounter students of different beliefs, they may be Lumad, Christian, or Moro, and it is important to remember that despite these differences, we are rendering our service and commitment to one country.”
 
Echoing Mitmug’s sentiment, Gov. Hataman said: “We are not here just to work and earn wages; we are here to serve the youth, especially the next generation who will inherit the triumphs and failures of our own.”

“It is important that you are passionate and committed to this career, and you are determined to guide our youth as they learn not just in school but in life. In return, know that the regional government is committed and determined to give you what is right and just,” he added.
 
The regional government has previously appointed 192 teachers and deployed in Sulu earlier this month. To date, the ARMM has 25,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel. The region is composed of nine schools divisions that include the divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.  (Bureau of Public Information)