WE WILL (MIGHT) MAKE IT!

It’s been 5 years now since I arrived in Thailand . I went here due to the insistence of my sister who, outside of my knowledge, has distributed my resume to different schools. She wanted me to be with her and work as a teacher too. After I rested for a day, I was lucky to be offered a position as a part time teacher which I accepted. And then, just after the third day of my stay, I received a call from one of the oldest bilingual schools offering me a full time teaching job. I accepted it and the rest was history.

I was lucky to survive continuously for five years amidst the great discrimination towards Filipino teachers; but in this time, the discrimination seems to be slowly peeling off the wounds. Filipinos seem to be approaching a walk-off. I am seeing some hopes. I have been talking to my Thai co-teachers and they keep on telling me about the European teachers. Most of the Thai people tend to call them “native speakers” due to their hair, eyes and skin coloration. Of course, it is totally wrong to call European teachers as such because they are directly not. I can mention many differences they have from native speakers – especially with their abilities to teach English correctly. It is actually appalling that some Thais like my co-teachers have started to notice this difference. These European teachers come to school late unlike the Filipino teachers who usually come to school earlier than the others. The Filipino teachers, as they say, are well-dressed, smart-looking, and clean-shaven just ready to face the challenging day ahead.

Thai coordinators have been noticing that Filipino teachers always come to work armed with teaching materials or visual aids to ensure that there is a great learning day for the students. My Thai co-teachers even told me that they are not worried to leave the little children behind Filipino teachers because they know that the class will be in good hands. They know that the students will surely pay attention with the lesson and will not just go around playing in the classroom. And even if they will, they are sure that the Filipino teacher will know just what to do.

My Thai co-teachers have also noted and keep on wondering why students always wanted to help their Filipino teachers by carrying their things from the classroom to the office, while European teachers don’t receive such a treatment. They said that it is becoming noticeable that those Thai teachers who have children in our school have preferred Filipino over European teachers to handle their kids.

I know that these simple things will eventually become a foundation for the Filipino teachers to slowly (even very slowly) win the odds against discrimination which is still evident in Thailand ’s education system. No matter how long it will take, I strongly feel that they will…..We will!

Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinong guro sa Thailand (Hail to the Filipino teachers in Thailand )!!!