Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7784)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 7784 is to strengthen teacher education in the Philippines by establishing centers of excellence, creating a Teacher Education Council, appropriating funds, and ensuring quality education through improved teacher education and training nationwide.
Under Republic Act No. 7784, a 'teacher' includes all persons engaged in classroom teaching at elementary and secondary levels, including guidance and counseling and instructional supervision in both private and public education institutions. It excludes school nurses, physicians, dentists, administrators, and support staff. Graduates of education who have passed the teacher government examination, even if not employed as teachers, are also included.
Teacher education includes pre-service education, in-service education, and graduate education of teachers in various specializations.
A Center of Excellence is a public or private college, institute, school, or agency engaged in the education and continued training of teachers and teacher educators that has a proven track record in teacher education, research, and community service. Their graduates are recognized for integrity, commitment, and dedication in education.
Criteria include highly qualified faculty, well-selected students, adequate library and research facilities, competent administrative staff, relevant instructional programs, student development and services, outreach programs, graduate employment as teachers, and other criteria established by the Teacher Education Council.
Functions include experimenting with innovative teacher education programs, coordinating collaborative research, serving as teacher resource centers, networking with other institutions, providing professional assistance to teacher education institutions, encouraging mutual support, and facilitating accreditation.
The Teacher Education Council has eleven members: the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as ex officio chairman, the Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education, a representative of the National Commission on Culture and Arts, the Chairman of the Professional Regulations Commission, and seven regular members appointed by the President representing various teacher education sectors and disciplines.
Regular members must have integrity, expertise and experience in teacher education, national or international recognition as experts, and willingness to serve.
The Council identifies Centers of Excellence; formulates policies for teacher education improvement; reviews curricula; adopts incentive systems to attract students; encourages cooperation among institutions; designs training programs; conducts research; reviews legislation; and recommends measures to improve teacher education.
One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000) is allocated from the income of duty-free shops (Trust Liability Account of the Department of Tourism) for initial organizational and developmental activities, with not more than five percent used for Council expenses.