CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 5, 2026 — Placing educators at the center of national gratitude, the Department of Education (DepEd) officially launched the 2026 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) at the Limketkai Atrium, bringing together teachers, education leaders from across Mindanao, and Central Office officials.
Celebrated annually from September 5 to October 5, National Teachers’ Month serves as a nationwide tribute honoring the dedication and contributions of Filipino teachers, aiming to revitalize the image of teaching as a vocation and publicly recognize their vital role in nation-building. The month-long celebration will culminate on October 5, coinciding with World Teachers’ Day as designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Guided by this year’s theme “Teacher, Ikaw Naman,” the celebration reminds the nation that after years of teachers giving their time, knowledge, patience, and care to generations of learners, it is now their turn to receive the gratitude they so richly deserve. Highlighting the fundamental contribution of educators to the country’s growth, Misamis Oriental Governor Henry S. Oaminal stated that “teachers are among the foundations of development. Our classrooms are among the first and most important development centers of the country. It is where we develop not only knowledge and skills but also discipline, compassion, resilience, integrity, creativity, and love for community, and it is where we begin shaping the country we want to see tomorrow.”