CEBU CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) is actively discussing with three major government agencies to enhance the career progression opportunities for public school teachers, aligning with the promises made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his recent State of the Nation Address.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agency is in talks with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to finalize a document that will establish a more structured career progression for teachers. This initiative comes in response to a longstanding demand within the education sector for more substantial career advancement opportunities for educators. "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," Angara stated during a hybrid post-SONA forum on Wednesday.
The proposed career progression plan allows teachers to choose between a teaching track and an administration track, addressing issues related to promotion delays and external recruitment of teachers for more lucrative positions. "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," explained Angara.
Further, Angara expressed optimism that the implementation of these career tracks will lead to enhanced performance and motivation 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 added.
Additionally, Angara committed to revitalizing the Teacher Education Council (TEC) to provide necessary training for teachers in public schools. The TEC, established by recent legislation, aims to offer ongoing professional development to ensure educators are equipped with the latest and most effective teaching methods. Earlier discussions within DepEd, led by Vice President and former Education Secretary Sara Duterte, focused on the creation and staffing of the TEC Secretariat to support this initiative. Following the DBM's approval of DepEd's proposed organizational structure and staffing pattern for the TEC, the agency is moving forward to enhance the capabilities of its educators further.