The Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS) is an employment reintegration program by OWWA in partnership with the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which aims to help OFWs who have graduated with a degree in education to pursue their teaching career in the Philippines once they finish their contract abroad.
This is, provided that they have passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) as certified by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
The program has also tapped government agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as well as educational institutions like the Philippine Normal University (PNU) to assist in reorienting and equipping returning OFW teachers with the crucial knowledge and competencies in teaching in the Filipino public education classroom.
Contents
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is established to promote and protect the welfare of Filipino migrant workers through benefit programs that cater to them and their qualified dependents in the country. Among these programs include one that allows Filipinos who are licensed professional teachers and have finished their contract abroad to continue teaching in the Philippines upon their return; this is what they call Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS).
With so many bright minds and working hands at the ready, this program hopes to invite more teacher-OFWs to consider working for the Filipinos upon their return to the country. So should you or your OFW contact be interested in such an opportunity, keep reading to know more about the application process.
Benefits
Approved applicants will be given positions as Teacher I by DepEd, and in addition, teaching kits in accordance to their school assignment, a tablet or laptop, and other school materials worth PHP 20,000.
Qualifications
To qualify for the program, an applicant must be:
- An OFW who has returned to the Philippines for not more than 3 years upon application
- A LET passer with either:
- Teaching experience within the last 5 years;
- Teaching experience beyond the last 5 years, or;
- No teaching experience
- Completion of an online refresher course in an OWWA-accredited or partner educational institution, for applicants with teaching experience beyond the last 5 years and those with no teaching experience.
Requirements
Qualified applicants may pursue their application upon completing the following documents:
- Duly accomplished application form
- Passport or any valid ID
- Copy of PRC ID
- Copy of Certificate of Board Ranking, issued by PRC
- Copy of Passport, including the pages with departure and arrival stamps
- Copy of Employment Contract, Certificate of Employment, or any similar document from employer abroad
- Copy of Certificate of Employment as a Teacher, if applicable
How to Apply for OWWA SPIMS Program
Upon completion of the requirements, follow these steps to proceed to the application process.
- Download and/or print a copy of the SPIMS application form at www.nrco.gov.ph, or request for one via email at nrco@owwa.gov.ph
- Accomplish the application form and submit it, along with the documentary requirements, via email at nrco@owwa.gov.ph or spims.updates@gmail.com.
- Walk-in applicants may submit their application to their designated OWWA Regional or Satellite Office or POLO office, through the designated SPIMS officer.
- For applicants with teaching experience beyond the last 5 years and those without teaching experience, details for the refresher course will be given for your attendance and completion. Upon completion of the course, a copy of the Certificate of Attendance will be given to you.
- For applicants with teaching experience within the last 5 years, requirements shall be forwarded to DepEd for official endorsement.
- Wait for an email, call or text message from an authorized DepEd representative for confirmation of your application and details of your teaching assignment.
Important Reminders
Here are some important things to note about the Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program:
- The program caters to active OWWA OFW members who are LET passers and have been repatriated, or finished their employment contract abroad, and aspire to pursue a career in teaching.
- The NRCO conducts the preliminary evaluation for all applications before forwarding to either DepEd for final screening and evaluation, or to PNU or partner institutions for the required refresher course.
- Approved applicants for DepEd final screening will be given a Notice of Organization Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from the designated Division Office indicating their school assignment and other details.
Video: Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Video
Here’s an important video from the Philippine Reintegration Center which features an overview of what you can expect from the SPIMS project. It features testimonial experiences from actual Filipinos who have availed this program and are now working as teachers in the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You may refer to the following FAQs about the OWWA SPIMS project for LET exam passers:
1. Can I still apply for the program if I have not taught abroad?
Yes, the program is open to all active OWWA OFW members who have graduated with a degree in education and have passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) as certified by the PRC, whether or not you have worked as a teacher abroad.
2. How much is the refresher course?
The refresher course is free for applicants who have been assessed by NRCO for the program. Upon completion of the course, applications will be forwarded to DepEd for the final screening.
3. Can I apply for the SPIMS program while overseas?
Yes, you can apply for the program while overseas, through your local POLO office.
4. Am I guaranteed a slot upon application?
As the program runs on a limited budget and manpower, all applications undergo strict evaluation by NRCO, DepEd, and partner institutions. It is not always the case that applicants continue or pass the refresher course or the final screening, and not all approved applicants continue with their school assignments. Therefore, applying for the program does not guarantee you a teaching position right away.
Summary
It is said that teaching is not a mere profession, rather a mission, and a call to serve even the least, the last, and the lost, and OWWA’s SPIMS program is a testament to that.
Because the program not only gives repatriated and returning OFW-teachers a second shot at employment, but it also invites them to serve their fellow Filipinos through such a noble vocation, the program allows for the creation of a more socially-aware and culturally-devoted youth for the country.
For more information about the SPIMS program, you may visit the OWWA website at www.owwa.gov.ph or the NRCO website at www.nrco.gov.ph.