Manila: On the occasion of World Teachers' Day, President Benigno Aquino underscored the valuable role that teachers play in nation-building as he led the Philippines in honouring its estimated half-a-million educators.
"I join the nation in saluting all of you for your professionalism. You shape the minds of the youth who will be tomorrow's leaders," Aquino said in his keynote speech during World Teachers Day celebrations in suburban Pasig City on Tuesday.
Aquino also pledged to improve the quality of education available in the country and sought to highlight the fact that his administration's top priority is quality education. He added that the 2011 Reform Budget had provided funds for teacher-training programmes, more classrooms and other educational needs.
Financial assistance
Falling attendance in private education institutions is one of the problems troubling the government. Aquino promised his administration will help private schools overcome the lack of new enrolments through the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education scheme.
The programme extends financial assistance to poor but deserving students for them to be able to enrol in private schools with the objective of decongesting public schools while helping private schools survive.
