Sa ’Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program, otherwise known as SPIMS Program, is an OFW reintegration convergence project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It was implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO). The project was borne out of the collaborative efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
Under the SPIMS Program, qualified overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are LET exam-passers are offered the chance to go back home, apply for a teaching post, work as teachers, and enjoy a fulfilling education career with the Department of Education (DepEd).
Not only that, but the program also offers retraining as well as the opportunity to work in teaching and non-teaching posts in both the government and the private sector. To learn more about how to join the SPIMS Program, keep reading this guide below.
Contents
- Sa ’Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program
- Benefits
- Qualifications
- Requirements
- Procedure
- SPIMS Program Flowchart for OFW LET passers
- Important Reminders
- Video: SPIMS (Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir) Program | Paano mag Apply ng OWWA SPIMS Program
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 1. What is OWWA SPIMS?
- 2. Who is qualified to join or apply for the OWWA SPIMS Program?
- 3. What is the purpose of the OWWA SPIMS Program?
- 4. Is the application for the SPIMS Program still open despite the COVID-19 pandemic?
- 5. What is the SPIMS Online Refresher Course?
- 6. Who is the SPIMS Online Refresher Course for?
- 7. How can I join the Online Refresher course?
- 8. Where can I learn more about SPIMS?
- Summary
- Contact Information
Sa ’Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program
SPIMS Program refers to Sa ’Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir Program—a reintegration program especially designed by the DOLE to help LET passers who used to work as an OFW to secure a position, whether as a teaching or non-teaching staff, with DepEd.
Under the SPIMS Program, migrant Filipino workers who are licensed teachers can have a chance to apply and work as either elementary or junior high school teachers in various public schools in the country. It is offered to OFWs who have returned within the past three years and have at least practiced the profession within the last five. For those with less or no teaching experience, they would have to take an online refresher course offered under the program as well.
As an OFW reintegration convergence project of DOLE, OWWA, DepEd, and other government agencies including PRC, CHED, TESDA, and PNU among others, the SPIMS Program is set to provide opportunities for OFW LET passers to return, find employment and practice their profession. Consequently, it helps the country gain back the Filipinos working abroad, so they may opt to serve and use their talents to serve Filipinos in the country.
Benefits
By initiating the SPIMS Program, the Philippine government hopes to help returning OFW LET passers and the country enjoy the following benefits:
- Acquire gainful employment as public school teachers;
- Mitigate the problem related to shortage of public school teachers in the country in line with the K-12 implementation;
- Encourage OFW LET passers to further enhance their teaching skills by providing online refresher course
- Help OFW LET passers retain their teaching and pedagogic skills to meet the persistent demands of present-day educational practice;
- Help the country gain back the Filipino workers overseas, particularly the OFW LET passers
- Help the government reverse out migration by providing LET passers with the option to stay in the Philippines to work as teachers.
- Offer returning OFWs options for local employment as Teacher I.
- Helps retrain OFWs on the skills required for the Teacher I positions.
Qualifications
Interested OFWs may apply for the program if they meet the following qualifying criteria:
- A Filipino citizen with Philippine passport
- OFW LET Passer
- with accumulated teaching experience of at least 1 year (12 months) or within the last 5 years.
- who passed the examinations within the last five years, regardless of teaching experience;
- with teaching experience beyond 5 years; and
- without teaching experience at all
- Must not have stayed in the country for more than 3 years upon their arrival
Requirements
If you believe you meet the qualifying criteria and you are interested in the SPIMS Program, then you need to prepare the following documents:
- OWWA SPIMS Application Form (issued by NRCO)
- Valid passport (issued by the DFA)
- Any valid government-issued ID
- Copy of Certificate of Board Rating (from PRC)
- Copy of Certificate of Employment abroad or any documentary proof (from DMW or POEA)
- Copy of Certificate of Employment as a teacher (if available) (from your Employer)
- Copy of Passport (including the pages with arrival and departure stamps) (issued by the DFA)
- Copy of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
Procedure
Once you have all the documentary requirements prepared, you may already proceed with the application process for the SPIMS program. Depending on your preferred application channel, you may follow the steps listed below:
How to Apply for the OWWA SPIMS Program via NRCO
Step 1: Accomplish the online application form via this link: https://nrco.owwa.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-services/sa-pinas-ikaw-ang-ma-am-sir-program.
Step 2: Once you are done submitting the form, the SPIMS Team will send a response with the list of documentary requirements you need to submit and how to submit them.
Step 3: Submit the required documents by sending it via email.
Step 4: Once accepted, they will ask for your school assignment. Choose the school where you prefer to teach.
Step 5: The NRCO will then provide you with the Notice of School Assignment (NOScA).
Step 6: Once you receive the NOScA, the system will automatically create an ‘item’ assignment for you.
How to Apply for the OWWA SPIMS Program via the POLO or OWWA Office
Step 1: Make an appointment to visit the nearest POLO or OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) either via the Appointment scheduler on the website or via the OWWA mobile app.
Step 2: On the day of the appointment, visit the selected POLO or OWWA Regional Office.
Step 3: Ask the guard for the counter or window designated to OWWA SPIMS applications.
Step 4: Secure a queueing number and wait for your turn to be called.
Step 5: Once your turn comes, submit your documentary requirements to the SPIMS Officer of the Day.
Step 6: Do as directed by the SPIMS Officer of the Day.
Step 7: Complete the online refresher course, if needed.
Step 8: If a refresher course is not required, the requirement will be retained by NRCO for submission to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Step 9: The SPIMS Secretariat will then send you an email confirmation for further evaluation.
Step 10: Wait for notification from the School superintendents after the DepEd completes the screening procedures.
How to Apply for the OWWA SPIMS Program via Email
Step 1: Download the OWWA SPIMS application form.
Step 2: Send your documentary requirements at nrco@owwa.gov.ph or spims.updates@gmail.com.
Step 3: Upon receiving the documents, the SPIMS Secretariat will then send you an email confirmation.
Step 4: Wait for the results after DepEd completes the screening and evaluation.
SPIMS Program Flowchart for OFW LET passers
The SPIMS Program application and processing workflow is detailed below:
Step 1: The OFW fills up the SPIMS Application Form.
- This can be done online via the NRCO or POLO website.
- Another option would be to visit the nearest DOLE Regional Office (if the OFW is already in the Philippines) or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) (if the OFW is still abroad).
Step 2: The OFW submits an application.
Step 3: The National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO) evaluates the application.
Step 4: The DOLE Secretary endorses the application to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Step 5: The DepEd screens all the applicants.
Step 6: After the screening is completed, the DepEd informs concerned School Superintendents about qualified applicants.
Step 7: The qualified applicants submit their documentary requirements.
Step 8: The final evaluation of the applicants is carried out by the DepEd, based on its current hiring guidelines.
Step 9: The DepEd prepares plantilla positions for the applicants.
Step 10: The applicant is appointed as Teacher 1.
Important Reminders
For interested SPIMS Program applicants, here are some things you’d want to remember:
- The National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO) evaluates the application.
- OFW with teaching license but without teaching experience, as well as those who have teaching experience beyond 5 years, must undergo the Online Refresher Course.
- OFW LET-passer who passed the examinations within the last five years, belongs to a special case, so regardless of his/her teaching experience, he/she will no longer be required to undergo online refresher course.
- For OFW LET passers who has no teaching experience or with teaching experience but acquired more than five years ago, they may still apply for the program provided that they are willing to undergo the online course provided by PNU or attend the regular refresher course.
- DepEd manages the final evaluation and decides on whether an applicant is worth hiring or not based on existing hiring criteria.
Video: SPIMS (Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir) Program | Paano mag Apply ng OWWA SPIMS Program
Learn about the ins and outs of the application for Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir ( SPIMS) Program, check out this Youtube video from the Chay Estanio Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions and answers about the SPIMS program from OWWA for those who wish to learn more.
1. What is OWWA SPIMS?
The OWWA SPIMS Program is an employment reintegration program by DOLE and carried out by POLO and OWWA. It offers OFWs who have passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) to come home and work as either elementary or junior high school teachers in various public schools. Under the program, the role of the OWWA is to make the program as attractive wnd as easier to implement so that regular beneficiaries may be recruited.
2. Who is qualified to join or apply for the OWWA SPIMS Program?
The OWWA SPIMS Program is meant to lure back OFWs, particularly those who are working as domestic workers, who have passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). This program includes those OFWs who are working in Qatar, Riyadh, Al Khobar, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Thailand, among others..
3. What is the purpose of the OWWA SPIMS Program?
The OWWA SPIMS Program hopes to retrain OFW teachers in the skills required for a DepEd Teacher 1 position and keep them in the country after they are allowed to return to their country and get out of domestic employment.
4. Is the application for the SPIMS Program still open despite the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. So, if you are an OFW or a former OFW who happens to be a LET passer, then you can still submit your application to the SPIMS Program. You may also reapply, if you previously failed, simply by emailing your requirements.
5. What is the SPIMS Online Refresher Course?
The Online Refresher Course offered under the SPIMS Program is a self-paced program especially designed for LET passers. It covers training on foundational competencies for professional teachers, with the intention of retraining inactive professional OFW teacher applicants on the pedagogic knowledge and skills they need before going back to teaching. It also helps OFW LET passers who have no teaching experience, as well as those who have teaching experience beyond 5 years, relearn various foundational competencies in particular specializations. required to undergo this course, which is conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU). The Online Refresher Course is offered free-of-charge. However, a minimum amount of Php 1,500.00 should be paid to PNU by the enrollee to pay for the Certification/Assessment fees.
6. Who is the SPIMS Online Refresher Course for?
The SPIMS Online refresher course was created with the intention of helping modern-day OFW LET Passers do better when they venture back into the present-day educational practice. The course is created for the following:
- OFW LET Passers with:
- Teaching experience beyond five (5) years; andfree, each participant will have to pay Php 1,500.00 to PNU as Certification/Assessment Fee.
- No teaching experience
7. How can I join the Online Refresher course?
The process for joining the Online Refresher Course is as follows:
- The DOLE-NRCO endorses to PNU a complete list of all SPIMS Program qualified OFW LET passers who will be taking the course.
- PNU will then get in touch with the OFW via email, providing him/her with an Enrolment Key to be able to access the online platform.
- According to the DOLE-NRCO website, while the Online Refresher Course is
8. Where can I learn more about SPIMS?
To learn more about the SPIMS project, you may visit the nearest DOLE Regional Office (if you are in the Philippines) or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) (if you are abroad).
You may also contact the National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO) through:
National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO)
- Office Address: Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Development Center, cor. Solana and Victoria Sts., Intramuros, Manila
- Telephone number: (02) 527 6184 or (02) 526 2392
- Email address: spims.updates@gmail.com or wrtsd.nrco@gmail.com
In addition, you may also visit the DOLE-NRCO website, as well as the official Facebook pages of SPIMS and NRCO.
Summary
The SPIMS program offered by DOLE, in collaboration with POLO, OWWA, NRCO, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and PNU is a really helpful program. It helps resolve the problems of employment mismatch, especially for teachers who had tried their luck abroad but wish to go back home to the Philippines. Through the program, these teachers are given the chance to teach in public schools here in the Philippines.
The Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program is an employment reintegration program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It was especially designed to help those who have passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). The program allows qualified OFWs to work as elementary and junior high school teachers in various public schools in the Philippines. It also helps retrain those who haven’t kept themselves updated with the industry trends as well as those who have no teaching experience. Plus, it helps the country get back out teachers, instead of having them slaving away as household service workers abroad.
The SPIMS Program may not be for everyone, but it is specifically designed for licensed teachers. With this, we hope that our teachers may find it in their hearts to embrace the profession once again and to forget about going abroad for another job again.
Contact Information
For inquiries or concerns regarding the Sa ’Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program, you may also reach out to OWWA through the following:
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
You may also reach out to OWWA 24/7 Operations Center through the following contact information:
OWWA 24/7 Operations Center
Landline: (+632)833-OWWA or (+632)833-6992
Globe Hotline: 2917 (Press “3” for OWWA)
Mobile/SMS text messaging: (0917)TXT-OWWA or (0917)898-6992
Facsimile: +63-2-8040638
Email address: opcenter@owwa.gov.ph/ owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com