History proves that in order to establish a strong foundation of a notable cause all should partake in the arduous process of forming one. The Filipino Educators Council is living proof of another significant history in the making.
In the early part of 2007, active online forumers at Siampinoy.com discussed issues related to foreign teaching in Thailand. These posters shared their teaching experiences, debated back and forth many unresolved concerns that affect the Filipino teaching community. Emotions ran high and not a few conflicts ensued in a desire to advance each one’s perspective. Many teachers realized that this cyber information tool was an effective medium of communication
and ideas exchange, and for threshing out issues and articulating concerns; while others were slow to join the bandwagon of these exciting online discussions.
Toward December of the same year, active online forumers of SiamPinoy joined forces to produce a series of Filipino educators conferences all over Thailand. The purpose of organizing these conferences was to gather information on the needs, issues and resolutions of the Filipino educators. On 23 February 2008, the first Filipino Educators’ Conference was held in Anuban Chiangmai School in Chiangmai City; with the theme: “Empowering the Filipino educators in Thailand with renewed commitment, courage and competence”.
With the participation of some officers of the Association of Filipinos in Thailand – Northern Region Chapter (AFT-NRC), members of the FFC, some Siam Pinoy forumers and co-organizers of the conference, the aims of conference was successfully achieved. On March 16, 2008, the second Filipino Educators’ Conference at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok was held; this was attended by 40 teachers from 16 different International, government and private schools. These educators and professionals in the country joined the cause for the empowerment of the Filipino educators in Thailand through professional development programs.
The Council added more milestone activities: the Filipino educators’ conferences on April 13, 2008 with the ACT at the Philippine Embassy, and on May 10, 2008 with the Federation of Boholanos and Friends in Thailand at St. Theresa Inti College in Bangkok. It is expected that more conferences will soon be organized wherever Filipino teachers in the Kingdom are located.
On March 17, 2008, the Mandate, Structure and Profile of the Filipino Educators Council or FEC were drafted based on the data and input gathered from the participants of the first two conferences. Prior to the second Filipino educators’ conference, eight committed professional educators in Thailand were already brainstorming to design the philosophy and direction of the Council. It was determined that the primary aim of the Council is to provide professional development programs to advance Filipino educators in the state.
On March 19, 2008 a letter to the Philippine Ambassador to Thailand, with the final copy of the Council’s Mandate, Structure and Profile, was submitted for approval.
On May 25, June 1 and June 8, the very first meeting of more than 200 Filipino teachers who attended the training on Thai Culture and Language, Professional Standards and Code of Conduct for Foreign Teachers gave another boost to this group of Filipino educators. It was the first in Thailand which was successfully organized despite of big challenges and intrigues.
Later in June 2008, the group decided to reset the group’s priorities for the legal registration of its name. Now, it’s just a matter of time when this group of Filipino educators will soon rise stronger than before.
Abel Morales Cadias
