Great news for all professional teachers working abroad who plan to return to the Philippines for good! The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) created a program called Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS Program) that will greatly benefit our teachers abroad and provide them a job once they return home. This program will not only help our teachers but also the education system of the Philippines as they can apply their skills and knowledge to all Filipino students.
The SPIMS Program is a collaboration among the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Philippine Normal University (PNU). This program is one of the solutions to our growing problems in the education system and economy in the Philippines.
The Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS) provides the following benefits for eligible OFW-LET passer teachers:
- Employment in public schools in the Philippines
- Online Refresher Course facilitated by the Philippine Normal University (PNU)
- Teaching kits
- A tablet or laptop
- School materials worth Php 20,000
SPIMS Objectives
- To provide an employment opportunity to OFW-LET passers as a public school teacher.
- To provide proper training through an Online Refresher Course (ORC) for OFW-LET passers whose teaching experiences are beyond five (5) years or no teaching experience at all.
SPIMS Program Online Refresher Course
The Philippine Normal University (PNU) facilitated a refresher course for those LET passers who don’t have any teaching experience or those who lack experience in teaching the new generation. This course aims to enhance and update the pedagogic skills and mastery of teachers. It is an online course designed for any pace of studying to ensure the strength of the foundation of competency. It also addresses the present-day demands of the teachers, students, and the education system itself.
Using the joint forces of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), the names of OFW-LET passers abroad who want to go back to the Philippines for good will be automatically endorsed to PNU. The PNU will get in touch with the OFWs through emails and send them an invitation to take the refresher course. OFWs who are interested will only pay Php 1,500 upon completion of the course and get their Certificate of Completion from PNU.
Photo taken from the Department of Migrant Workers Facebook Page.
Qualification for SPIMS
The Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS) is a program solely created to help OFW-LET passers with or without teaching experience who were previously working abroad. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the program.
Applicants must be:
- A Filipino citizen
- Hold a Philippine passport
- Licensure Exam for Teacher (LET) Passer
- with at least 12 months of teaching experience within the last five (5) years
- With teaching experience but haven’t taught for more than five (5) years
- without teaching experience
- Arrived home for not more than three (3) years upon application.
Applicants who don’t have any teaching experience or haven’t taught for more than five (5) years, must undergo a refresher course provided by the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
Photo taken from the Department of Migrant Workers Facebook Page.
Requirements for SPIMS
The requirements for the SPIMS program are basic and can easily be acquired. Here’s the list of documentary requirements you need to secure to apply for the said program.
- Application form. You can secure a copy in OWWA, or NRCO, or download it online.
- Valid government-issued identification card.
- Philippine passport. Bring the original and a photocopy of the first page, arrival, and departure stamp in the passport.
- Professional Licence Card by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
- Certificate of Board Rating issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
- Proof of employment abroad. You can secure a Certificate of Employment abroad, an employment contract, or any documentary proof that you work abroad.
- Any Teaching Certificate (if available)
Make sure that all your documents are complete before applying to the program to avoid getting rejected.
Application Process
There are two (2) ways to apply for the Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS). One is online and the other one is onsite.
Online Application
If you wish to apply online, prepare all documentary requirements in PDF format and send them to spims@dmw.gov.ph. After submitting all the documents, click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg0HqBdudPqwPatD9uZ2q_eO1WC6srWfhNwABpgXWaeb-K2Q/viewform and fill out the form. Make sure to double-check all the information you will provide to avoid any mistakes.
Onsite Application
If you wish to apply onsite, you may bring all the documentary requirements to the nearest Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Regional Office or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
Photo taken from the Department of Migrant Workers Facebook Page.
Program Flow Chart
The Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS) follows a systematic format to ensure that all applicants will be accommodated. You may refer to this flow chart to know the next step in your application.
Step 1: OFW application
As I mentioned above, you may choose the most convenient way for you to apply.
Step 2: NRCO evaluation
The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) will evaluate your application to make sure that all documents are legit. Once done, they will send it to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Step 3: DMW Secretary Endorsement to DepEd
The DMW will check the endorsement given by the NRCO and endorse them to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Step 4: DepEd screening
The DepEd will screen all the applicants if they are qualified or not.
Step 5: Informing school superintendents
The DepEd will inform all school superintendents who are involved in this program regarding the qualified applicants.
Step 6: Submitting documentary requirements
Qualified applicants’ documentary requirements will be submitted to schools.
Step 7: DepEd preparation of Plantilla Position
The DepEd will arrange all the necessary preparation for the Plantilla Position of the qualified applicants.
Step 8: Appointment as Teacher 1
Qualified applicants will be appointed as teacher 1 to the appointed public school.
Photo taken from the Department of Migrant Workers Facebook Page.
Video: OWWA XI SPIMS Beneficiary Testimony Jeaniefer Mabandos from Davao del Sur
This video by OWWA DAVAO REGION OFFICIAL is a testimony of Jeaniefer Mabandos from Davao del Sur. He was an OFW in Saudi Arabia who decided to be with his family in the Philippines due to his company’s bankruptcy. Through Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS), he was able to reach his dream of becoming a professional teacher in the public school in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SPIMS?
The SPIMS is short for ‘Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program’. This program was created to provide employment opportunities to OFW-LET passers who decided to go back to the Philippines for good.
Who is qualified for the SPIMS?
The SPIMS program was specially designed for OFW-LET passers who plan to go back to the Philippines for good and want to work as a public school teacher.
What is the purpose of SPIMS?
The SPIMS was created to provide employment to OFW-LET passers and to address the growing problem of the education system. Our country is in dire need of skilled teachers and teachers who have experience working abroad can apply the skills and knowledge they have learned and apply to Filipino students.
I’m a LET passer but I don’t have any teaching experience. Can I still apply for the SPIMS?
Yes. OFWs with or without teaching experience can apply for the SPIMS program as long as they are LET passers certified by the Professional Regulatory Commission and are willing to attend a refresher course.
What is the refresher course for the SPIMS program?
The SPIMS program requires OFW-LET passers whose teaching experiences are beyond five (5) years or no teaching experience at all to take an Online Refresher Course (ORC) provided by the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
How much is the Online Refresher Course (ORC) in PNU?
Online Refresher Course (ORC) graduates must pay the Assessment Fee of Php 1,500 upon completion of the said course.
Is taking the Online Refresher Course (ORC) a guarantee that my application will get hired?
Finishing the course is not a guarantee that you will get the job offer. All applicants must undergo a strict process and must pass all the screening and evaluation for teaching positions.
Summary
Working abroad is difficult and more often lonely. We choose to be away from our loved ones so we can give them the life they deserve and achieve our personal goals. But choosing to go back to your home country doesn’t mean that your dreams are over. It only means that you are choosing to fight for your dream and be with your family and friends. For teachers, it also means choosing to help Filipino learners.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other government agencies created the Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program (SPIMS) to offer jobs to qualified OFWs. This program offers them a chance to work as public school teachers and utilize the skills and knowledge they gained to help Filipino learners.