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Competitive Edge of Migrant Filipino Teachers in Selected Countries
IN SELECTED COUNTRIES
Zenaida Quezada-Reyes, Ph.D and Minda Cabilao-Valencia
Philippine Normal University
Recent history tells us that a number of Filipino teachers have extended their territorial milieu in teaching from the Philippines to various countries of Asia, the Middle East, and North America. This paper examined the global movement and experiences of Filipino migrant teachers vis a vis their competitive edge in the global labor market. It looked into the standards and requirements for teachers of receiving countries vis-à-vis the qualifications of the Filipino teachers as a result of institutional competencies of Teacher education Institutions (TEIs) in the Philippines. Most importantly, it explored as well the phenomena of gendered migration.
As the Philippines looks forward to be more competitive, it is important to analyze the nuances of what makes a Filipino teacher globally competitive. Results of this research could be a good benchmark for improving the quality of teachers that the country produces.
There were four important migration phenomena about Filipino Teachers that were explored in this paper. First, it surveyed the migration and employment profile of teachers who usually worked in abroad as teachers. Demographic and socio-economic profiles were also dealt with in this paper. Second, it analyzed the experiences of teachers as regards their motivations in working abroad, finding and applying for teaching jobs, teaching experiences, and adaptation and adjustments in a foreign country. This part was highlighted by competitiveness level of teachers and their perceived loses and gains while teaching abroad. Teacher’s competitiveness was indicated by their salaries, promotions, incentives and other benefits received due to their services to the host institutions. Third, the standards and required competencies among teachers from home country and receiving country were analyzed. Lastly, this paper examined as well the competitiveness of Filipino teachers using gender lens.