Abstract
The Philippines is facing a growing loss of teachers as many seek better pay, safer working conditions, and professional growth abroad. This paper examines the factors driving teacher migration, its impact on the country’s education system, and the long-term risks it poses for national development. Drawing on international research, the study highlights how low salaries, inadequate school resources, and limited career pathways contribute to teacher mobility. It also explores how the departure of skilled educators affects classroom quality, teacher morale, and the nation’s capacity to build a strong workforce. The paper proposes a shift from viewing migration solely as brain drain toward adopting a brain circulation approach that values global experience and encourages knowledge exchange. Strategies for retention, reintegration, and international collaboration are presented to help strengthen the Philippine education system and create sustainable opportunities for teachers.
Keywords: Brain Circulation, Brain Drain, Education System, Knowledge Exchange, Philippines, Professional Development, Teacher Migration, Teacher Retention
https://doi.org/10.65494/pinagpalapublishing.43
