Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7836)
The short title of Republic Act No. 7836 is the "Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994."
The primary purpose is to strengthen the regulation and supervision of the practice of teaching in the Philippines and to prescribe a licensure examination for teachers to promote quality education through proper supervision and regulation.
The Board for Professional Teachers is composed of five (5) members appointed by the President of the Philippines from among the recommendees chosen by the Professional Regulation Commission.
Qualifications include being a Filipino citizen and resident, at least 35 years old, of proven integrity and high moral values, holding a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Education (preferably a master’s or doctorate degree), a professional teacher with a valid certificate and license, at least ten (10) years active teaching experience, and no pecuniary interest in schools conferring education degrees or connected to review centers for 3 years prior to appointment.
The examination for elementary teachers consists of two parts: professional education and general education. For secondary teachers, the examination consists of professional education, general education, and a field of specialization.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or aliens with reciprocity, at least 18 years old, in good health, with high moral values, have no final conviction for moral turpitude offenses, and must possess the required degree relevant to their teaching level, such as BECED for preschool, BSEED for elementary, or a bachelor's with education units for secondary, with additional requirements for vocational teachers.
No person shall legally practice teaching in the Philippines without holding a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license issued by the Professional Regulation Commission, except as otherwise allowed under the Act.
Penalties include a fine of not less than P5,000 and not more than P20,000, imprisonment from six (6) months to five (5) years, or both, plus similar penalties for school officials responsible for such acts.
The Board can suspend or revoke the certificate of registration, reprimand the teacher, or cancel temporary/special permits after due notice and hearing for causes such as immoral conduct, gross negligence, fraud, chronic drug use, and violation of the Act or its rules.
Yes, but only if the foreign teacher's country allows Filipino teachers to practice there under the same conditions (reciprocity) and if the foreign state's certification requirements are substantially the same as those required by this Act.