QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11713)
RA 11713 is titled the “Excellence in Teacher Education Act.” Its purpose is to strengthen teacher education in the Philippines by enhancing the Teacher Education Council, establishing a Teacher Education Scholarship Program, institutionalizing the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), and appropriating funds for these initiatives, while amending RA 7784.
The law declares the State’s policy to protect and promote the right to quality education, ensure teacher quality as central to effective teaching-learning, and recognize school leaders’ role in fostering an environment for effective teaching. It aims to enhance teacher education and training nationwide through a scholarship program and the national leadership of the Teacher Education Council.
It is a public or private college/institute/school/agency (existing by itself or within a university/college) engaged in providing excellent teacher education programs (formal and nonformal) and maintaining an outstanding track record in teacher education, faculty qualifications, research/extension, linkages, and other criteria set by the Council.
Teachers and school leaders in all public and private basic education institutions, and all public and private Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).
Criteria include: qualified and experienced faculty with integrity and best practices; talented and committed students; adequate library/research/study facilities; competent admin/support staff; innovative curriculum/instruction/mentoring/research; strong student services; relevant extension/linkages/outreach; licensure exam passing and teaching career pursuit rates; graduates becoming education professionals/leaders; and other criteria set by the Council.
It must be reviewed and evaluated every three (3) years to ensure it continues to meet the Act’s criteria.
They include: conducting innovative relevant pre-service/in-service programs (including alternative delivery); organizing collaborative research; serving as a teacher resource center for curricular/instructional materials; acting as a regional networking node; providing professional assistance and mentoring/quality assurance pathways for TEIs; encouraging mutual support among TEIs; promoting research/innovation standards and publication; and participating in a national teacher education research agenda.
The Council has nine (9) members: DepEd Secretary (Chair); CHED Chair (Vice-Chair); TESDA Director-General; NCCA Executive Director; PRC Chairperson (all ex officio); and four (4) regular members appointed by the President—(1) teacher representative from public basic education; (2) representative from an organization of deans of colleges of education/professional teachers/educators; (3) representative from a national organization of private basic education institutions; and (4) representative from an organization composed of school leaders.
The Council must uphold professional standards through evidence-based policies, set basic requirements for teacher education and quality assure compliance; ensure integrity of professional standards via rigorous review; establish recognition systems for career stages through a pool of national assessors; support systematic monitoring of career-stage recognition processes; ensure system alignment with professional standards and the Philippine Qualifications Framework; and ensure licensure examination transparency through release of questions/answers and relevant item analysis statistics to the Council.
TESP provides financial assistance to deserving basic education graduates (public and private) for undergraduate teacher education degree programs, and (under the scholarship/incentive framework) also supports tertiary students as covered by the Act’s teacher education scholarship/incentive policies. It is implemented by the UniFAST Board through Teacher Education-COEs.
Depending on the student’s needs: free tuition and school fees; allowance for books/supplies/learning materials; research support grant; clothing/uniform allowance; dormitory/boarding allowance; transportation allowance; thesis/dissertation/project allowance; research publication fee (if applicable); licensure examination review fees; licensure fees; and other education-related living allowances.
Those who have benefited from other incentives under existing laws are ineligible to avail of the incentives under RA 11713’s framework (including the TESP). Additionally, eligibility criteria and conditions—including disqualification conditions—are determined by the Council as an effective incentives system, and TESP grantees are prohibited from availing of other incentives under existing laws.
NEAP is institutionalized as a DepEd component unit to provide quality continuing professional development for in-service teachers, school leaders, and other teaching-related personnel across public and private basic education. It must use a world-class evidence- and research-based approach to professional development.
NEAP designs and implements professional development aligned with professional standards; coordinates/oversees/monitors NEAP-recognized courses and providers; conducts research and evaluation of effectiveness; ensures equitable access; provides scholarships/fellowships with service obligations; maintains a professional development information system with recognized programs and earned credit units; coordinates with stakeholders and learning service providers; and coordinates with PRC for recognition/accreditation of its programs for continuing professional development.
The IRR must be issued within sixty (60) days after the Act’s effectivity by DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and PRC in consultation with stakeholders. The IRR takes effect 30 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and copies must be transmitted to Congress within three (3) months after effectivity.