Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (Kaguma) chapters representatives gathered this October for the revolutionary organization’s Fourth National Congress. At least 79 delegates from various regions, academic institutions, and universities in the education sector were in attendance.
The congress united under the theme “Advance the revolutionary teachers’ movement! Rectify! Expand! Struggle! Triumph! Advance the people’s democratic revolution with a socialist perspective!” This marked the teachers’ resolute response to the call to reinvigorate Kaguma as a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) allied organization.
Kaguma convened its congress after more than two decades. The last congress was held in 2003, an achievement of the revolutionary teachers’ movement as it overcame the weaknesses and mistakes that emerged during the height of the Second Great Rectification Movement launched by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The organization held its second congress in December 1987. In 1985, it conducted its First National Congress as a secret organization promoting the people’s democratic revolution. Kaguma was founded on March 28, 1971.
Kaguma said it must conduct a thorough rectification within its ranks. “Rebuild Kaguma, boldly expand and strengthen nationwide. Vigorously advance the comprehensive tasks for the revolution,” the National Secretariat stated in its report at the start of the congress.
During the assembly, the national secretariat presented Kaguma’s evaluation of its own organization over the past two decades. This featured a humble self-criticism regarding its departure from the revolutionary organization’s fundamental principles and methods in recent years.
The congress ratified the Orientation and Constitution of Kaguma. It also elected a new National Council and National Executive Committee, which will lead the organization nationwide. Guia Umili was elected chairperson and spokesperson.
The congress outlined six resolutions to guide the organization’s continuous advancement. It also approved a three-year plan, which includes the comprehensive development and revitalization of the revolutionary teachers’ movement; the full-effort exposure, isolation, and overthrow of the US-Marcos II Regime; and active participation in various forms of struggle to advance the People’s Democratic Revolution with a socialist perspective.
The NDFP and CPP congratulated Kaguma for its determination and perseverance in holding its Fourth National Congress.
“We hope that this congress will consolidate your ranks, draw lessons from experiences, and advance more firmly in fulfilling your duties to strengthen the revolutionary teachers’ movement,” NDFP secretary general Elias Dipasupil said.
CPP information officer Marco Valbuena said that the Kaguma congress was undeniably historic, not only because it took place after a long period but because it clearly opens a new era of advancement to a higher level for the revolutionary teachers’ movement. “The unity you forged in your congress will spread, inspire, and bind together thousands more teachers nationwide,” he said.
Valbuena added that Kaguma serves as a beacon for teachers, illuminating the path they must take to achieve their aspirations and those of the people. “Through your perseverance, you inspire teachers to look beyond their current hardships and join the struggle of the broader masses for a complete transformation of the social order,” he said in his message to Kaguma.
At the conclusion of the congress, members and newly elected leaders collectively renewed their oath, followed by the chairperson’s closing speech. In her address, Guia Umili recognized and honored the martyrs of the sector and the people. “They offered and sacrificed their whole lives for the revolution. Let us honor our comrades in the countryside who uphold the highest form of struggle,” she said.
Umili also challenged the congress delegates. “May the unity of our revolutionary theory and practice grow ever stronger; may our documents and studies not remain as stored knowledge in our minds but serve as guides for improving our actions; and may our actions, in turn, raise our revolutionary theory to a higher level,” she urged.
The delegates concluded the assembly with singing the Internationale.
