QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7836)
The law is known as the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994.” The State recognizes the vital role of teachers in nation-building and ensures quality education through proper supervision and regulation of the licensure examination and professionalization of teaching.
To promote, develop, and professionalize teachers and the teaching profession; and to supervise and regulate the licensure examination.
Teaching refers to the profession primarily with classroom instruction at elementary and secondary levels per the prescribed curriculum, part-time or full-time, public or private. Teachers include those engaged in teaching at elementary/secondary levels and those performing supervisory/administrative functions in such schools who are qualified under the Act. Board refers to the Board for Professional Teachers. Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.
It is created as a collegial body under PRC supervision/control, composed of five (5) members appointed by the President from recommendees chosen by the Commission, with nominees selected by accredited teachers’ associations, possessing the qualifications under Section 8.
First Board members are automatically registered as professional teachers and issued with a certificate of registration and professional license upon payment of the fees for examination, registration, and other fees prescribed by the Commission.
Examples include: promulgating/enforcing rules for the Act; fixing frequency, dates and places of the examination and appointing exam personnel; issuing/suspending/revoking certificates of registration; prescribing and collecting fees; adopting a code of ethical/professional standards; supervising registration/licensure/practice; ensuring education institutions comply with essential requirements; investigating violations (with subpoena power); and taking measures to enhance professional and ethical standards.
Board members hold office for three (3) years from assumption. For the first Board: one serves one (1) year, one serves two (2) years, the chairman/vice-chairman/one member serve three (3) years. Vacancies serve only the unexpired portion. No one who served two (2) consecutive terms may be reappointed. Filling an unexpired term is treated as a full term.
Must be a Philippine citizen/resident; at least 35 years old with integrity and high moral values and no conviction involving moral turpitude; holder of education degree (BA/BS in Education) preferably master’s/doctorate or equivalent; a professional teacher with valid certificate and license (except first Board); at least 10 years active teaching practice in elementary/secondary; and must not be an official/member of faculty or have pecuniary interest in education degree-conferring institutions, nor connected with review centers or review groups for at least three (3) years prior to appointment.
No. Except where specifically allowed, a valid certificate of registration and valid professional license from the PRC are required before one may practice as a professional teacher.
Elementary and secondary examinations are separate. Elementary exam consists of two parts: (1) professional education and (2) general education. Secondary exam consists of three parts: (1) professional education, (2) general education, and (3) field of specialization.
They must generally be citizens (or an alien from a country with reciprocity), at least 18 years old, in good health and good reputation with high moral values, with no conviction for moral turpitude; and must be graduates with minimum educational qualifications depending on level (preschool/BECED; elementary/BSEED; secondary education degree with major/minor or degree with units in professional education; and vocational/two-year technical courses with relevant degree and at least 18 units in professional education).
The Board must, within 120 days after the examination, report each candidate’s ratings to the PRC for approval and appropriate action.
The registrant must take a professional oath before practicing as a professional teacher.
It encourages continuing professional growth and provides additional basis for merit promotion. Teachers may take an oral/written exam at least once every five (5) years with no fee. If they fail, they may take it a second time. If they still fail, they must take a DECS-accredited refresher course/program before being allowed to retake. Failure by a permanent teacher is not a ground for dismissal or demotion.
Causes include: criminal conviction; immoral/unprofessional/dishonorable conduct; insanity or mental unsoundness declared by court; malpractice/gross incompetence/gross negligence/serious ignorance; fraud/deceit in obtaining registration/license/permit; chronic inebriety or habitual drug use; violation of the Act/rules/code/continuing education requirements; and unjustified or willful failure to attend prescribed seminars/workshops/continuing education.
An appeal may be taken to the regional trial court of the place where the Board holds office within 15 days from receipt of the decision or denial of a timely motion for reconsideration.
Practicing teaching without the required certificate/license is penalized by fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P20,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 5 years, or both; similar penalties apply to enumerated fraudulent impersonation/false evidence/title misrepresentation and related violations, including responsibility of any school/school official causing such acts.