Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9293)
Republic Act No. 9293 is an Act amending certain sections of Republic Act No. 7836, otherwise known as the "Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994." It was enacted to update and clarify the qualifications and registration requirements for professional teachers in the Philippines.
Teachers in preschool must have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (BECED) or its equivalent; elementary teachers must have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (BSEED) or its equivalent; secondary teachers must have a bachelor's degree in education with a major and minor, or a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education; and vocational/technical course teachers must have a bachelor's degree in the field of specialization or its equivalent, with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education.
They must take at least twelve (12) units of education courses, consisting of at least six (6) units of pedagogy and six (6) units of content courses, or equivalent training and hours, from a list provided by the Board and the Department of Education before they are allowed to practice.
Those who failed the licensure examination but have a rating not lower than five percentage points from the passing average may be issued a two-year special permit, renewable once for two years, to serve as para-teachers in areas with a shortage of professional teachers. Their special permit will specify their area of assignment.
The person must be a duly registered professional teacher holding a valid certificate of registration and professional license, or a valid special/temporary permit under this Act.
References to the "Department of Education, Culture and Sports" and "DECS" are amended to "Department of Education" and "DepEd," respectively, in relevant sections.
The Act took effect upon its approval on April 21, 2004.