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By James Konstantin Galvez, Reporter
They will rather stick it out
here than go abroad for high paying- jobs there.
Five top graduates of Pangasinan
State University in Lingayen have made that decision, expressing
their desire to teach in public schools. It was their response to a
call of Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to “give
back to the country what it has given them.”
The graduates, all full
scholars and Education majors, were Jerome Patungan (magna cum
laude) and Auralyn Baliton, Chona Nisperos, Ma. Theresa Nolledo and
Jie Ann Bandong (all cum laude).
“I want to teach in a public
school as a sense of duty to my country rather than go abroad,”
Baliton said.
Nolledo said she also was looking
forward to teaching in a public school because the Education
department is “taking good care of teachers.”
“Besides, I want to have a part
in molding our young into becoming good citizens,” she added.
Last month, Lapus instructed top
school officials to make a priority the hiring of scholars from the
Department of Science and Technology-Science and Education Institute
to further strengthen scientific-research and technology education
in the country.
He pointed out that the Science
and Technology department has been in the forefront of developing
top engineers and scientists in the country.
Of the 147 scholars of its
Science and Education Institute this year, 41 came from Region 5 (Bicol
Region) and 30 came from National Capital Region (Metro Manila).
There were 126 scholars last year.
Since school year 2002 to 2003,
there have been 957 teacher items allocated to the institute’s
scholars.
In 2007, the Education department
created more than 16,000 teacher items, the highest number in years.
Lapus said this move meant to
address the problem of the rising number of jobs-graduates mismatch
in the country.
He described the decision of the
top five graduates of the Pangasinan State University as “the best
way these scholars can give back to the country, by teaching in
their own communities and inspire a new generation of students.”
Lapus praised the honor graduates
who had to overcome poverty before finishing their Education degree.
“Being on top of your class is
not easy. You are an inspiration to many of our students. You gave
your best despite your poverty,” Lapus told the top five
graduates.
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