DepEd: Talks with 3 agencies underway for teachers’ career growth

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Members of the Southern Police District stand guard outside Jose Rizal Elementary School in Park Avenue, Pasay City on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022). (Photo by Avito Dalan via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Wednesday confirmed talks with other government agencies to realize the career progression of public school teachers in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Marcos, during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, vowed that teachers no longer need to retire as Teacher I due to lack of promotion opportunities.

In a hybrid post-SONA forum, Angara said the move is the administration’s response to a long-term clamor in the education sector.

“So, he (President Marcos) has, I believe, approved some form, in principle at least, the career progression of our teachers because that has been a long-term complaint of our teachers,” he said.

“We’re finalizing that document along with the three other agencies,” Angara added, referring to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

For career progression, teachers can pursue either a teaching or an administration track.

“Sometimes our teachers get pirated for better opportunities because it takes some time for them to be promoted. So, this one gives them something to look forward to a career track,” Angara said.

The education chief also expressed optimism that the implementation of career progression may result in better quality performance among educators.

“It’s something which will encourage and incentivize our teachers, and we really expect a growth performance because of these innovations and development which the President has approved,” he said.

Teacher education council

Angara also vowed to maximize the Teacher Education Council (TEC) to capacitate teachers in public schools through necessary training.

“We are also trying to activate a teacher education council. This is a body created under the law that Congress passed two years ago which is meant to train our teachers,” he said.

Under the TEC, educators are expected to receive training for up-to-date quality teaching methods.

Earlier, the DepEd, under the helm of Vice President and former Education Secretary Sara Duterte, reported that it would conduct various discussions for the “creation, selection process, and appointment of qualified individuals” for the TEC Secretariat.

On June 11, the Office of the DepEd Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development (OUHROD) received the physical copy of the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) for the TEC, following the DBM’s approval of DepEd’s proposed organizational structure and staffing pattern for TEC on May 21.