Mobility of Filipinos Teaching English-Mediated Subjects in the Basic Education Institutions of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand

Abstract

Education is seen as a key factor in preparing the citizens of the Member States for the increased integration and resulting competitiveness. To realize this, the mobility of teachers in the region is seen as one of the instruments to improve the English language proficiency of the citizens of the ASEAN member states and cumulatively improve their ability to utilize English in enhancing their competency skills towards the successful realization of the ASEAN Community. Hence, it is imperative to pay attention to the relevance of mobility in the region. This study attempts to contribute to the said discussion by focusing on the challenges and opportunities encountered by Filipino teachers as part of the growing intra-ASEAN mobility of professionals in Southeast Asia.

The study aims to determine what are the personal and institutional factors of mobility of Filipinos teaching English mediated subjects in the basic education institutions of Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. This was done through interviews with Filipino teachers, with school administrators, with the MOE, and with the officials of their respective Philippine embassies.

By and large, the talents and capabilities of the Filipino teachers are gradually being recognized in the Southeast Asian region. However, mere recognition is not enough. Filipino English teachers (both in the Philippines and abroad) need further support in order to better their mobility within the ASEAN region. Improvement of the Filipino English teachers’ (1) compensation, (2) working conditions, (3) visa processing, (4) living conditions, and (5) opportunity to upgrade their qualification is necessary. This is possible with better legal and working mechanisms that will emanate from the Philippine government, the ASEAN member states, and the ASEAN organization.

These needs must be further provided with the help of all stakeholders (school administrators, the education ministries of ASEAN countries, the Philippine government), and to be complemented by the favorable labor and migration policies of ASEAN member states and of the ASEAN itself as a regional body to facilitate regional integration and towards the complete realization of the ASEAN Community in the near future.