Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11702)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11713 is the 'Excellence in Teacher Education Act.'
The State declares the policy to protect and promote the right to quality education at all levels, and to enhance the quality education and training of teachers nationwide by establishing scholarship programs and a dynamic, modern education system through the Teacher Education Council.
This Act applies to teachers and school leaders in all public and private basic education institutions, and to all public and private Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).
A Teacher Education-COE is a public or private college, institute, school, or agency engaged in providing pre-service and continuing education of students, teachers, and school leaders, that maintains an excellent track record in teacher education, faculty qualifications, research, extension services, and other criteria established by the Council.
Key criteria include highly qualified faculty, talented students committed to teaching, adequate facilities, competent staff, innovative curriculum and research programs, student services, relevant extension programs, high licensure exam passing rates, graduates becoming education professionals or leaders, and other criteria established by the Council.
The Council is composed of nine members: five ex officio members including the Secretaries and Chairpersons of DepEd, CHED, TESDA, NCCA, and PRC; and four appointed members representing teachers, deans of education, private education institution organizations, and school leaders.
The Council establishes teacher education roadmaps, sets requirements for teacher education programs, designates Teacher Education-COEs, upholds professional standards, implements incentive systems, monitors professional development, conducts research, recommends policies, coordinates with agencies, promulgates rules, and exercises other functions to strengthen teacher education.
TESP is a scholarship program established under the Act to provide financial assistance, including tuition, allowances, research support, and other benefits, to deserving students pursuing undergraduate teacher education degree programs in Teacher Education-COEs.
NEAP is institutionalized to provide quality professional development programs for in-service teachers, school leaders, and related personnel, collaborating with the Council, managing scholarships, conducting research, and serving as a component unit of the DepEd.
The Council must submit an annual report to Congress on the status and progress of teacher education and teacher quality, starting three years after the constitution of the Council.
Existing Council personnel continue in a holdover capacity until new structures are approved; the President appoints regular Council members within three months; the Chairperson appoints the Executive Director likewise; and NEAP personnel transition into the new organizational structure with recruitment consistent with Civil Service rules.
The Act mandates establishing professional standards, aligning teacher education programs with these standards, instituting career-stage recognition, providing professional development through NEAP, enforcing licensure examinations, awarding scholarships, and conducting research and evaluations to continuously improve teacher education.
The office develops implementation plans for teacher recruitment, organizes career talks, screens mentors for pre-service teachers, manages the scholarship program for undergraduate teacher education students, coordinates regional support, and ensures scholars are mentored by highly competent professionals.
Agencies include the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Board.
COEs conduct innovative teacher education programs, organize research, serve as teacher resource centers, network TEIs, provide assistance and mentoring, encourage mutual support among TEIs, maintain high standards in research, and participate in national teacher education research agendas.