Growing up, teachers are among the most influential people in our lives. Children look up to and listen to them. Throughout elementary and high school, they are the authoritative figures who shape young minds through learning, not only academically, but also socially. They also offer comfort and support during difficult times, a crucial support system for many students. 

These roles are not dissimilar from those that migrant domestic workers (MDWs) play in households with children. With children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, MDWs nurture, help with homework, act as playmates, offer conversation, and ensure that those they are caring for are eating healthily and on time. 

Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1995, Gemma Lauraya has become very familiar with working in these roles. “Marami kami na mga [Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs] professional teachers dito sa Hong Kong.Alam mo na naman sa atin, mahirap kumita ang mga teachers dahil sa liit ng sweldo at taas ng mga bilihin. Nagtuturo ako noong sa isang computer college bago ako naengganyo ng kapatid ko na samahan siya dito sa Hong Kong,” [There are a lot of us [OFWs] who are professional teachers here in Hong Kong. You know how it is back home, it’s hard for teachers to earn because of the low wages and high cost of living. I used to teach at a computer college before my sister enticed me to join her in Hong Kong] shares Gemma.

Gemma is President of Filipino Overseas Professional Teachers (FOPT), formerly known as the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT), which was founded in 1998. The organisation’s new name was unveiled during their 25th anniversary celebrations in November 2024. Their primary objective is to assist professional teachers who want to study and take the licensure exam; they also undertake volunteer duties for the Philippines Consulate on occasion.

Before the pandemic in 2019, they held the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for professional teachers every year. Over the past few years, FOPT leadership have pushed for the reinstatement of the SPLE in Hong Kong. So, after years of lobbying, more than 500 OFWs were finally able to sit the exam on 21st September. It was held at the 18/F Department of Migrant Workers – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (DMW-OWWA) OFW Global Centre at United Centre in Admiralty. Testing centres in Thailand and across the Philippines held the exams on the same date.

“Magandang balita talaga para sa mga professional teachers natin na nandito sa Hong Kong ang pagbalik ng SPLE. Ilang taon natin hinintay, at sa loob ng limang taon na walang exams, dumami talaga yung mga gustong maging licensed teacher. Malaking tulong kasi ito sa mga OFW nating mga maestra na gustong magturo kapag mag for good na sila sa Pinas,” [The return of the SPLE is good news for our professional teachers here in Hong Kong. We have waited a long time for this, and after five years of no exams, we saw an increase in people who wanted to become a licensed teacher. Getting this license is a huge help for OFW teachers who want to teach when they go back for good to the Philippines] smiles Gemma.

The DMW has a reintegration programme called Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS)  or in English, ‘In the Philippines, You are the Ma’am and Sir’,  a program where OFW who have passed the SLET exam can be offered financial support and permanent employment opportunities in the Philippine public school system, specifically for elementary and junior high school positions, to address the nation’s teaching shortages. 

FOPT collaborated with Carl Balita Review Center in the Philippines to offer free review sessions to potential exam candidates. They had special guests from their Manila headquarters run the reviews and workshops, and provide helpful advice. 

“Malaking pasasalamat ko talaga sa mga taga- DMW-MWO and OWWA at siyempre sa ating Philippine Consulate General sa suporta na binigay nila sa amin sa FOPT at sa lahat ng nag-take ng exam,” [We are grateful to the offices and staff DMW-MWO and OWWA, and of course our Philippine Consulate General, for the support they have given FOPT and everyone who sat in the exams] Gemma says.