Mindanao Urged to Receive Half of New Teacher Positions
Cagayan de Oro City’s 2nd district representative is pressing the government to allocate half of the 16,000 new teacher positions planned this year specifically to Mindanao. This move aims to address the region’s alarming “functional illiteracy” rates, which are among the highest in the country.
The representative emphasized, “I am urging DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara to give Mindanao at least 8,000 new teaching positions. This will allow our island to catch up with Visayas and Luzon in terms of literacy.”
Addressing Functional Illiteracy in the South
Local education leaders and community advocates note that Mindanao faces a significant challenge with functional illiteracy, a state where individuals can read, write, and perform basic calculations but struggle to understand what they read. Recent studies reveal this problem is most severe in the southern region.
Reports indicate that to effectively reduce illiteracy, Mindanao requires not only more teachers but also better training for educators, along with improved school infrastructure and learning materials. Without these essential resources, closing the literacy gap with other regions remains difficult.
Provincial Illiteracy Rates Highlight the Problem
Research shows eight out of the ten provinces with the highest basic illiteracy rates are in Mindanao. These include Tawi-Tawi at 36 percent, Davao Occidental and Basilan at 23 percent, Sarangani at 18 percent, Lanao del Sur at 17 percent, Zamboanga del Sur at 16 percent, Sultan Kudarat at 14 percent, and Maguindanao at 13 percent. The other two provinces with high rates are Northern Samar and Samar.
Government Commitment to Strengthen Education
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plans to create 16,000 new teaching positions this year, with 15,343 designated for Teacher 1 roles, 157 for special science teachers, and 500 for special education teachers. Officials affirm that this initiative aligns with the President’s directive to enhance the education system nationwide.
According to sources familiar with the matter, these new roles will support the Department of Education’s efforts to expand its teaching force across kindergarten, elementary, junior high, senior high, and alternative learning programs. Still, there is a strong push from local leaders for the government to prioritize Mindanao in this allocation.
Closing the Literacy Gap for Mindanao Students
Community leaders stress that learners in Mindanao’s public schools need to catch up with their peers in Luzon and Visayas. They highlight that without a fair share of teachers, improved facilities, and better learning tools, the region’s education system will continue to lag behind.
By directing half of the new teaching positions to Mindanao, the government can help bridge this educational divide and offer more opportunities for students in the south to succeed.
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