Education a shared obligation, say Philippine SPLET topnotchers

Four professionals who have successfully passed the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC)-organised Special Professional Licensure Examination for Teachers (SPLET) in the UAE, Singapore and Taiwan, said moving forward in unison solves all blips and toxicity.

Angelica Palongyas: “Teachers and educators should not be the only ones blamed for the struggles of the educational system in the Philippines and overseas. Education involves governments, schools systems, communities. When one part fails, the entire ecosystem suffers. Real change will only happen when we stop pointing fingers and start working together with empathy, cooperation and shared responsibility.”

Fledah Martinez: “The educational system is a shared responsibility among governments, policymakers, school administrators, and communities. Even parents play critical roles. Teachers are at the forefront. But, systemic issues require collective solutions. Blaming educators alone oversimplifies the challenges. The success of students speaks for the value given to the work of educators.”

Shaina Arcete: “While it is true that some teachers and educators anywhere in the world fail to meet standards, it is unfair to generalise. Building trust is key to changing perceptions. It starts with being consistent in our values and actions. I advocate for professional development programmes and stronger mentorship systems so that teachers, especially new ones, are guided, supported, and equipped with the right mindset and tools to succeed.”

John Khevin Badayos: “Not all educators excel in everything they do. That is a fact. Just as we cannot expect all students to be perfect or excellent in everything. The problem is systemic, a flawed framework covering all the stakeholders that includes the parents. The true victims are the children. No matter how good or outstanding teachers are, if they operate within a flawed system, there is little they can do to make significant changes in improving a flawed educational system anywhere in the world.”

Palongyas (28), Martinez (36), Arcete (24), and Badayos (31) were among the 325 takers of the one-day PRC-SPLET for overseas-based Filipino professionals last June 8, 2025. Respectively, Palongyas, Martinez, Arcete, and Badayos were the Top 3 (Elementary), Top 6 (Elementary), Top 9 (Elementary), and Top 7 (Secondary, Science).

Gulf Today met them from their recent paid a courtesy call with Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Marford Angeles. They were accompanied by Federico Dulla Jr., the president of the 2,500-strong Filipino International Teachers Society UAE-Dubai and the Northern Emirates Chapter (FITSUAE-DNE) and Ellanie Villena, vice-president of the 4,000-strong Filipino Social Club (FilSoC).

Dulla said it was a unanimous decision that FITSUAE-DNE “become officially associated with the FilSoC to ensure that all activities are conducted legally, safely and in full compliance with the regulations of the host government through the Community Development Authority-Dubai.”

“As volunteers, our main goal is to serve the Filipino teaching community by way of professional development, community outreach and cultural promotion, with confidence,” said the 10-year UAE resident whose 50 per cent mandatory scholarship grant as the Capiz State University-Pontevedra Campus (Capiz Province) Student Council secretary, and Php1,000.00 salary as one of the Office of Student Affairs student assistant, assisted him in earning his Education degree in 2008.

Since 2023, FITSUAE-DNE Chapter has been able to help, by way of free weekend review sessions, 164 pass the yearly-conducted PRC-SPLE, in coordination with the One Philippines Team in the UAE. Out of the 164, 11 topped.

Given the opportunity to speak with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, Cebu of Institute Technology-University (Cebu Province) Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate Badayos would suggest to “first resolving the root cause” of the well-documented ailing state of the public school educational system, particularly in the far-flung rural areas where access to basic education falls short: “We need to emphasise education in the national budget, particularly in the allocation of funds, and ensure that all support from the government would reach all pupils and students.”