SAN JOSE, Antique – To assist the Department of Education in implementing distance learning modalities for school year 2020-2021 in the province of Antique, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6’s Antique Field Office hired 699 interns under the Government Internship Program (GIP).
Called “para teachers”, the interns help prepare modules and do clerical activities.
As the school year progresses, they will be involved in the students’ learning activities.
Mostly graduates of Bachelor of Arts major in Education and information communications technology (ICT)-related courses, the “para teachers” were deployed in all barangays of Antique’s 18 municipalities and in 22 DepEd offices in the province.
Rocel Joy Sancha thanked DOLE for the opportunity to work.
“For me, this is kind of a career change. I am learning a lot from the teachers I am working with,” she said.
Seeing the challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic, Sancha left her job in a computer shop and along with other interns started working under DOLE’s GIP on Sept. 1 this year.
“The engagement of GIP interns to help teachers is timely considering the need for additional manpower to assist in providing education amidst this pandemic,” said DOLE-6 regional director Cyril Ticao.
The GIP not only provides employment but also develops talents and skills, provides valuable experience and helps prepare the interns as future teachers and educators, he added.
Katherine Mae Aban expressed excitement on being employed as a “para teacher”.
“This is my first teaching job and I am looking forward to new learnings. I am excited to help children and parents from my barangay,” she said.
A holder of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (major in English) degree, Aban has been helping teachers of Atabay Central School in San Jose town in doing clerical and administrative work.
DOLE’s Antique Field Office head Melissa Navarra described this year’s GIP engagement as more meaningful to the interns for they will be helping learners and parents from their barangays cope with the challenges of the distance learning modalities.
Along with providing opportunities, the regional office also gives utmost consideration to the safety of the interns in carrying out their tasks.
“DOLE-6 and the Department of Education conducted an orientation of the interns on health protocols. They were also provided with facemasks and face shields,” said Ticao.
The interns were also enrolled in Government Service Insurance System group accident insurance on top of the daily minimum wage they receive./PN
