The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to keep an eye on the large number of teachers leaving the Philippines to work as language teachers abroad. In a recent press briefing at Malacañang, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara expressed concerns about Filipino teachers being invited for study tours in countries like the United States but not returning to the Philippines.

Secretary Angara mentioned that the department will closely monitor this issue and study the reasons why teachers are choosing to leave. “We need to look into the factors contributing to their decision to not come back,” he said.

One of the reasons identified by DepEd for teachers seeking opportunities abroad is the slow career progression in the Philippines. In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has introduced an initiative called “Expanded Career Progression.” This program aims to help public school teachers advance in their careers so that by the time they retire, they have reached higher ranks.

Another potential reason for teachers moving abroad, according to Secretary Angara, is that they are often assigned administrative tasks which prevent them from practicing their teaching skills. This has prompted many to seek better opportunities where they can focus more on teaching rather than administrative duties.

The DepEd is taking these issues seriously and is committed to providing better career advancement opportunities for teachers to encourage them to stay and contribute to the education sector in the Philippines.