DepEd drives reintegration efforts for OFW teachers fleeing Middle East conflict

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

QUEZON CITY, 06 April 2026—The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday spearheaded initiatives to reintegrate overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) teachers and their families who were forced to return home due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted DepEd’s commitment to providing immediate employment pathways and educational support for repatriated workers and their children during the inter-agency Bagong Pilipinas Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network and Job Fair. 

Central to these efforts is the Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program. Since 2014, SPIMS has successfully helped 11,056 licensed teachers transition from overseas employment back into Philippine public school classrooms. 

“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, hindi namin kayo hahayaang mag-isang harapin ang mga hamong ito habang sinisikap naming gawing mas simple, mas mabilis, at mas madaling maabot ang proseso ng SPIMS,” Secretary Angara said.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the program’s comprehensive approach—which includes employment financial assistance to 8,047 teachers and online refresher courses for 521 others—has established SPIMS as the government’s most successful reintegration program for OFWs. 

During the fair, DepEd also provided on-site registration for Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) tests for OFWs who wish to pursue higher education or training for better job opportunities, and Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) for their children. 

DepEd also facilitated access to the Senior High School Voucher Program for learners who will continue in private schools, the Teacher Education Scholarship Program offering 720 slots for qualified family members of OFWs, and review incentive packages for returning OFWs preparing for the professional teacher licensure exam.  

During the Balik Turo: A Hero’s Journey Home showcase, current teachers from across the country shared their stories of returning home to serve Filipino learners after being displaced. 

For Teacher I Aylene Lara, who previously taught in Thailand, reintegration represents more than just a career move but a path toward healing the strain of family separation.

“I didn’t want to work abroad for a very long time because it’s not easy. First time ko nalayo sa pamilya pero kailangan kasi sa hirap ng buhay. My father died while I was away, and that is a hurt I will always carry with me,” she said. 

Now teaching at Calero Integrated School in Liloan, Cebu, Lara credits the SPIMS program and the DepEd Schools Division Office along with her school principal and co-teachers for her smooth transition. 

“Iyong simpleng pangarap ko na makapagsuot ng uniporme ng DepEd, na makapagturo sa mga kabataang Pilipino at makapagturo sa Pilipinas, natupad because of the SPIMS program. Isang karangalan at utang na loob ko po na natupad ang dream ko at gumanda ang buhay ng pamilya ko,” Lara added.

Similarly, Teacher III Veronica Dungog, who taught in the United Arab Emirates for four years before being displaced by the pandemic, saw her fears of unemployment vanish through SPIMS. 

“Through SPIMS, na-assure ako na makakapagturo ako. Within a year, I was deployed and I’m grateful na teacher na uli ako sa ating bansa,” said Dungog, who now teaches at West Crame Elementary School in San Juan City, Metro Manila. 

Beyond providing employment, the SPIMS program also addresses national teacher shortages and strengthens workforce resilience by tapping into the global exposure of returning OFWs. 

While elevating local teaching quality the program also fosters family stability by allowing educators to thrive professionally without leaving their loved ones.