Tomorrow, Sept. 4, we begin the month-long Teachers’ Month Campaign (TMC) with the theme “My Teacher, My Hero.’’ Now on its second year, TMC is in response to the call of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to celebrate World Teachers’ Day meaningfully on October 5 every year.

Among the objectives of the month-long campaign are to generate widespread awareness and support for World Teachers’ Day; use the occasion to celebrate the unique role and service that teachers play in guiding families, strengthening communities, and building the nation; revitalize the image of teaching as a vocation by increasing public awareness on the value of teachers in Philippine society and national development; and assist current and retired Filipino teachers by coordinating a chain of establishments to provide value-added service or discounts to teachers.

We urge all possible cooperators, such as the coalition of student councils and organizations, consortiums of educational institutions and associations, business establishments, professional organizations/corporate foundations, and local government units to pay tribute to our teachers by preparing simple, creative, and meaningful activities that will affirm and celebrate the value of teachers to the community and nation.

It is hoped that through the annual month-long campaign, the celebration of World Teachers’ Day will be raised to the same level as that of Mothers’ or Fathers’ Day; there will be increased enrollment in education degree courses, and our teachers will be accorded the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

May this campaign encourage our teachers to stay in the profession and remain in the Philippines to continue playing their central role in guiding our children, the youth, and even adults, through the lifelong learning process.