Lobregat swears in 82 new teachers
Eighty two (82) new teachers, screened and eventually hired by the city government in coordination with the Department of Education (DEPED) formally took their oath of office yesterday morning and vowed to faithfully fulfil their mandated tasks with the primary objective of giving the youths a better future.
Mayor Celso Lobregat presided over the oath taking rites held after the city government flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall and urged the newly hired government workers to diligently abide by the provisions of their oath of office. “Sigi lang ustedes el Juramiento de un empleado de gobierno and you will be excellent government employees”.
Of the total 82 teachers hired, 50 were new plantilla positions and were additional allotment for Zamboanga City provided by Education Secretary Jesli Lapus for 2009-2010, in recognition of the efforts of the city government in assisting and supporting the education sector. The 32 others filled up the vacancies caused by the earlier absorption of 32 Local School Board (LSB) teachers to the Deped system.
“This year we were given extra 50 new plantilla positions by the DEPED because of our initiative to construct school buildings and implement other education-related projects,” the mayor said providing background to the hiring program.
Present during the oath taking rites were officials from the Department of Education headed by Administrative Officer Abdurahim Kenoh Jr., Values Education Supervisor Mrs. Nenita Agan and MAPEH/ MSEP Supervisor Emma Sebastian.
In his message Kenoh called on the newly hired teachers to show their dedication and commitment as they swore to God and the people.
Kenoh likewise commended Mayor Lobregat and the city government for continuously assisting the education sector attain its goals to provide quality education to the young. “Zamboanga City is incomparable in terms of assistance to the DEPED. I have gone to numerous areas but I have not encountered any local chief executive, as Mayor Lobregat, who is very steadfast and firm in his support to the needs of our students and teachers”.
Lobregat said the hiring of the new teachers complies with the process employed by the DEPED.
The assignment of teachers is also based on the teacher-student ratio record provided by the Deped as well as the govenrment’s localization process.
Sec. Lapus ordered the allocation of 50 additional teacher items for Zamboanga City this school year through Mayor Celso Lobregat to reciprocate the city government’s all out support to the education sector.
The 50 teacher items are in addition to the regular 50 teacher allocation to Zamboanga City from the Deped.
“Our efforts (in education) do not go unnoticed because this year, aside from the regular teacher allocation, Sec. Lapus has given Zamboanga City through me, an additional 50 teacher items,” the chief executive who is the Local School Board chairman stressed. (Sheila Covarrubias)