Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Celebrating Teacher Excellence: A National Teachers’ Month 2026 Celebration

Thank you very much to our Secretary of Education, Secretary Sonny Angara. [Please be seated.]

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis; the members of the Teacher Education Council; awardees of the TEC Teachers Awards; my fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests – well, you are the distinguished guests at this occasion; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

It is always a pleasure to be here with the teachers and our partners who help make learning possible for millions of Filipino children.

When we speak of improving Philippine education, it is essential that we speak of supporting and strengthening the capabilities of the teachers who make learning possible.

This is why, as we celebrate National Teachers’ Month, we celebrate excellence where it matters most: in the Filipino teacher.

And that’s no exaggeration. I really consider that to be the case. The most important part of our education system are the teachers. Without you and your hard work, we could not do any of the things that we wanted to do.

And that is why, as Sec. Sonny is always reminding us, the very first thing that I told him: the only way that what we are trying to do will succeed is if we take good care of our teachers, if we support them properly. Because we do not need to inspire our teachers… They became teachers because they were inspired to do so in the first place.

And I always say that teaching is not a job. Teaching is a vocation. And the least that we in government can do is to support you in that vocation; to make you more professional; to make you more knowledgeable; to keep you learning as well about the new techniques, the new ways and the new strategies in which we can teach our children. And to examine the Filipino context and to make sure that what we are doing to support the educational system is appropriate to what we have, the conditions here in the Philippines.

Kaya ang katotohanan malapit sa puso ko talaga ang mga guro. Ang lola ko, ang aking ina, ang aking asawa puro mga teacher. Nakita ko ang kanilang sakripisyo at oras na inaalay upang gabayan ang ating mga kabataan.

Our teachers set the standard. You carry the responsibility of preparing our children for a future that continues to change. Today, we recognize those who are helping to raise that standard [even] higher.

We have done much already to change the course of Philippine education. I believe that we have made some progress. The recent PISA result is solid proof. It gives us reason to be hopeful. It validates what we are doing. And that what we have started has an effect, has a beneficial effect to the capabilities of our students.

But, of course, we also know much work still remains.

There are still gaps in how our teachers are prepared and are developed. Some are assigned to subjects still that are outside their specialization. And while training does not always respond to the realities they face in the classroom, we will try to remedy that.

Because teachers do more than just teach lessons. For many of our children, they become second parents in school, helping create environments where learners feel safe, supported, and cared for.

This also means strengthening school safety and student support.

Together with parents, communities, and other partners, we will continue to work to make our schools more secure and more responsive to the needs of our learners.

At the same time, we continue to improve teacher preparation and professional development throughout your careers.

Our efforts, from the Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 and the scholarship program to the Teacher Education Centers of Excellence, reflect the direction that we are taking.

And with the launch of MyTEC, we are creating more opportunities for teachers to continue to learn and to grow throughout their careers.

We want our teachers to have better preparation even before they enter the classroom, to have meaningful opportunities to continue learning throughout their careers.

Because we ask much from our teachers, we must also give much in return.

Through the first TEC Teachers Awards, we honor educators who have demonstrated excellence and a commitment to continuous professional growth.

To awardees: Your recognition today is a tribute to what you have accomplished. Let your example inspire another teacher. May your experience help shape the next generation of teachers.

To our scholars: The scholarship that you receive today is an investment in your future and in the future of the children that you will teach.

Make the most of that opportunity. Study well. Learn deeply. Serve with compassion.

Although I suppose that bit of advice is almost unnecessary, is almost redundant. You already work hard, you already study well, and you are very committed to your profession.

At sa lahat ng mga guro sa buong bansa: maraming, maraming salamat.

Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

The tools you use may continue to change.
Technology, AI, will change how our children learn but it cannot replace a teacher who guides them in deciding what is true, what is important, and what is right.

And so, as we prepare our learners for the future, I implore you to help shape learners to become critical thinkers who question, discern, make sound decisions, and at the same time remaining compassionate and mindful of others.

We want capable young Filipinos who will one day lead our communities, our institutions, our country; and lead with wisdom, competence, and with empathy.

Let me also take this opportunity to acknowledge our private sector partners in teacher education. Thank you for sharing your expertise, your resources, your research, and your time.

As we move forward, let us continue championing the teaching profession. Give our teachers every opportunity to become better at the work that they do.

So together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where our teachers are supported to do their best work and our learners are prepared to help shape the country’s future.

Once again, congratulations to our awardees and our scholars.

Maraming salamat po!

Mabuhay ang ating mga guro!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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