“Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions.” Teachers are living vessels of knowledge and of dreams and aspirations of children whose voices fill teachers’ hearts and minds. As such, we recognize that lifelong learners need lifelong teachers—both championing education toward a better future for all.
With the desire to fuel hope and inspire action among Edukampyons, REX Education and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) launched the PEAC–REX Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan, a scholarship program that aims to champion, strengthen, and advance teacher education by encouraging the best and brightest learners to pursue the teaching profession.
Addressing the Challenges Faced by the Education Sector
According to the 2018 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, Filipino students ranked the lowest among 79 countries in mathematics, science, and reading, with over 80% of students not reaching the minimum level of proficiency in reading. In a 2019research conducted by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), scores of Filipino students decreased by 61 points in mathematics and by 83 points in science from 2003 to 2019. The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) also found that in 2019, at least 83% of Grade 5 students scored below reading and mathematics standards expected for end of primary schooling.
According to the World Bank Philippines Report 2021: “Improving teacher quality in schools will mean attracting and selecting the best candidates into the teaching profession. To strengthen teacher quality, [we] should begin from selecting the right people into the profession. Policies in teacher recruitment and hiring should be aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the career, such as incentivizing high achievers to pursue teacher training and eventually enter into the profession.”
Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan
The Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan scholarship program rings true to REX Education’s Edukampyon advocacy: to rally every Filipino to champion education so that every learner is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented. As Edukampyons, we are duty-bound to uplift the Filipino learners today and in the future—and help make them whole. The time to act is now.
By encouraging the best and the brightest to pursue the teaching profession, we are investing in our learners and in the future of Philippine education. By being partners, we are working together to build and strengthen the path toward a brighter tomorrow for all of us, for our nation. By supporting the program, we are giving back to the teaching profession the highest honor and prestige it deserves.
“Teaching is a profession that has the power and influence to inspire the grooming of the greatest artists, doctors, and innovators. So, it is essential as Edukampyons to look into how we can advance and strengthen the quality of teachers and instructors… from basic education to the tertiary level. We seek for the best and the brightest to work with us, commit to the profession, and start creating a rippled effect as we enhance teachers’ quality today. This small act that we are doing in the present can have a great impact on all of our futures,” said Don Timothy Buhain, chief executive officer of REX Education during the launch of the program on October 5, 2021.
What’s Next?
REX Education and PEAC are here for you. Students can apply for the program through their respective schools; while schools can nominate their top students for the scholarship, to encourage good-standing students to pursue Teacher Education for their tertiary education.
REX Education and PEAC will also partner with teacher education centers of excellence (COEs) and centers of development (CODs) across the country to grant the scholarships, ensuring quality education and training for future teachers.
By school year 2022–2023, 50 of the best and brightest freshmen will be selected across four basic education specializations: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Those admitted to the program will not only enjoy living and technology-support allowances; they will also receive the best training from partner COEs and CODs across the country and bear the pride and responsibility to give back and advance the community.
Edukampyon Iskolar Para Sa Kinabukasan was launched through a virtual event that gathered educators and representatives from PEAC, REX Education, Philippine Business of Education, ASEAN Teacher Education Network, the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education. Apart from launching the initiative, it was also a celebration of teachers across the country in time for World Teachers’ Month.
Those who missed the event can still watch it via REX Education Facebook page.
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