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LEFT:
Philippine
Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Officer, Atty. Loy Cortel, conferring
with one of the Filipino teachers at the dialogue with Baltimore public school
officials. UPPER RIGHT: Around 300 Filipino teachers teaching in the
Baltimore City public school system attended this important meeting/dialogue.
LOWER RIGHT: Consul Rico Fos of the Philippine Embassy speaking before the
members of the audience composed of Filipino teachers and officials of the
Baltimore City Public School Board. |
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21 January 2008 - Officials
from the Philippine Embassy in Washington composed of Consul Rico Fos, ATN
Officer, Atty. Loy Cortel, and OWWA Officer Oliver Flores went to Baltimore City
on 11 January 2008 to attend the meeting/dialogue between Filipino teachers and
officials of the Baltimore City Public School Board (BCPSB).
The meeting with Baltimore officials discussed, among other issues, the case of
12 Filipino teachers who are in danger of being sent home because the Baltimore
Public School Board will no longer sponsor their employment visa due to lack of
funding.
During the meeting/dialogue, BCPSB official clarified that while it is true that
the city lost its funding for some of its programs, it does not mean that they
will not rehire the Filipino teachers in the affected programs. They clarified
that the affected Filipino teachers will instead be transferred to other schools
where teachers are needed and where their teaching skills/specializations match
the needs of the intended school.
BCPSB officials further announced that by summer, Baltimore City schools will be
hiring an additional 178 new public school teachers from the Philippines.
After being informed that the Embassy regularly holds orientation meetings for
newly arrived teachers recruited by Prince Georges County, BCPSB officials
promised to coordinate with the Embassy to have similar briefings for newly
arrived Filipino teachers.
Consul Fos took the opportunity during the dialogue/meeting to assure the almost
300 Filipino teachers present at the meeting that the Embassy under the
leadership of Ambassador Gaa will continue to closely monitor the situation and
is ready to render its assistance. END.
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