Poverty urges LET topnotcher to pursue education

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas and city administrator Perry Martinez congratulate and awards a Medal of Excellence to fresh graduate and provincial scholar Noralyn Sacoco of Data Center College of the Philippines - Laoag for topping the licensure examinations held recently. Joining Ms. Sacoco is Data Center College head for student affairs Mr. Danilo Dumlao. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—Twenty-year old Noralyn Fernandez Sacoco did not make it to the honor list when she graduated from the Data Center College of the Philippines (DCCP) here in Laoag City; but she sprang a surprise for her alma mater, family, and friends when she topped the August 2014 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

The school from where she graduated was also less known in terms of teacher education as it is one of the pioneers in computer education in the city. But now DCCCP has produced a topnotcher with a rating of 89.40 in the LET elementary education.

Ms. Sacoco’s feat is also the first time an Ilocos Norte-educated Ilocano has topped the LET in 60 years.

According to Ms. Sacoco, she said poverty inspired her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

While preparing for the examination, she related that she “prayed very hard that I would be included in the top 10.”

“Poverty is not a hindrance to success. If you have a dream, you must do something to achieve it,” Ms. Sacoco explained.

She cited as an example the scholarship grant the Ilocos Norte government gave her as one of the factors that helped her succeed.

Born as the fifth child to a farming family of six growing children at Brgy. Nambaran in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, she said her hardworking family inspired her to finish education.

“I have always wanted to help my parents send my siblings to school. I’m so happy God guided me all throughout my endeavors,” she said in Ilocano language with teary eyes.

Back in her elementary days, she said she had great admiration for teachers and that she dreamed of becoming like them someday as teaching is her passion.

“Malapit ako sa mga bata,” she added.

In college, Ms. Sacoco graduated with special awards as best student-teacher, best orator and number in academics though she did not make it to the honor roll. 

Proud of their student, the DCCP immediately offered a teaching position for Ms. Sacoco which she readily accepted.

When asked about her plans, she said, “While teaching, I plan to pursue a masters then a doctorate degree so that I can land a better job in a public school.”

Meanwhile, Ivy Dancel Rosete, 20, from the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Education in Laoag City, tagged as one of the Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education in the Philippines was ranked no. 9 with a rating of 87.60 percent. This year, MMSU-CE’s performance rating is ranked no. 10 with 82.23 average passing rate or 583 passers out of 709 examinees.

Over the last five years, a recent study of the Philippine Business Education (PBed) reported that private universities and those identified as Centers of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education dominate the top performing schools in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). But only 10 percent to 12 percent of all teacher education institutions (TEIs) in the country produce good LET results.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Board for Professional Teachers announced on Monday that 25,301 elementary teachers out of 70,786 examinees or 35.74 percent and 26,767 secondary teachers out of 77,803 examinees or 34.40 percent passed the LET given on August 17.

A number of 21,649 elementary teacher passers and 23,820 secondary teacher passers are first timers, the PRC added.