QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1006)
PD 1006 declares that teacher education shall be given primary concern by the government, must be of the highest quality, and strongly oriented to Philippine conditions and the needs/aspirations of the Filipino people, while being enriched by adoptable practices from other people.
“Teaching” refers to the profession primarily concerned with classroom instruction at the elementary and secondary levels, in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by the National Board of Education, whether part-time or full-time, in public or private schools.
“Teachers” includes all persons engaged in teaching at the elementary and secondary levels (full-time or part-time), including guidance counselors, school librarians, industrial arts/vocational teachers, and all other persons performing supervisory/administrative functions in such schools, provided they are legally qualified to practice teaching under the Decree.
PD 1006 creates the National Board for Teachers. It is composed of: (1) Secretary of Education and Culture (Co-Chairman), (2) Chairman, Civil Service (Member), (3) Commissioner, Professional Regulations Commission (Member), and (4) two private sector members appointed by the President.
Among others, the Board: appoints examiners and determines/ prepares the contents of the board examination; sets places/dates and supervises conduct of exams; issues/suspends/revokes/reissues Professional Teachers Certificates and administers oaths; adopts measures to enhance professional standards and ethics; registers and administers related functions through competent offices; prescribes/collects examination and other fees; and promulgates rules to carry out the Decree.
On the filing date: (1) citizenship of the Philippines, with an exception for those engaged in teaching for at least five years in Philippine schools not organized exclusively for nationals of a foreign country at the time of effectivity; (2) good moral character; (3) free from physical and/or mental defect incapacitating for efficient service; and (4) minimum educational qualifications by level (BSEEd for kindergarten/elementary; Education degree with specified requirements or education units for secondary; specialization degree with at least 18 units in professional education for secondary vocational/two-year technical courses).
Applications must be filed with offices designated by the Board, preferably the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Education and Culture. These offices screen and approve applications and issue permits to take the examination for qualified applicants.
A candidate must obtain a general average of at least 70% in all subjects, with no rating below 50% in any subject.
Examiners must report the ratings to the Board within 150 days after the last day of the examination, unless extended by the Board.
Teachers who passed such examinations are considered to have passed the board examinations for teachers. The Board may consider their certificates of rating as certificates of eligibility or issue an entirely new certificate upon registration and payment of required fees.
The Civil Service Commission, as an arm of the Board, registers holders of Professional Teacher Certificates. Registration evidences entitlement to all rights and privileges of a Professional Teacher until the certificate is suspended or cancelled by the Board for just cause.
Three years after the effectivity of PD 1006, no person may engage in teaching or act as a teacher as defined, unless they hold a Professional Teacher Certificate or are considered a Professional Teacher under the Decree.
It penalizes: practicing teaching without a valid Professional Teacher Certificate; presenting another person’s certificate as one’s own; giving false or forged evidence to obtain a certificate or admission to an examination; assuming oneself as a registered professional teacher; or violating any provision of the Decree.
Penalties include a fine of not less than PHP 1,000 nor more than PHP 5,000, with subsidiary imprisonment; or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years; or both fine and imprisonment at the Court’s discretion.
The Board may, for reasons of equity and justice and upon proper application, issue another copy/original/duplicate of a revoked certificate upon payment of the required fee. It may also issue a new certificate to replace a lost, destroyed, or mutilated certificate subject to Board rules.
A teacher validly registered in a foreign state may be registered in the Philippines without examination, subject to Board approval. Conditions: the foreign requirements must be substantially the same; the foreign law must allow Filipinos to practice on the same basis and grant the same privileges; and the applicant must submit competent/conclusive documentary evidence confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs that their country’s laws permit Filipinos to practice teaching under similar rules.
PD 1006 takes effect on January 1, 1977.