Definition of Terms
- "Teacher": individuals engaged in classroom teaching or guidance, not including medical or administrative support staff.
- Includes education graduates who passed the government teacher exam but are not employed as teachers.
- "Teacher education": encompasses pre-service, in-service, and graduate education.
- "Excellence": efficient, innovative delivery of relevant and quality teacher education programs.
- "Center of excellence": institutions recognized for record in teacher education, research, community service, and graduate outcomes.
Teacher Education Centers of Excellence
- Centers shall be designated in strategic regional locations by the Teacher Education Council.
- Criteria include faculty qualifications, student selection, facilities, programs, student support, extension services, and graduate outcomes.
- Centers form a national network connecting with elementary and high schools for practical training.
- Centers must be maintained for a minimum of five years before reassessment.
Objectives and Functions of a Center of Excellence
- Innovate in teacher pre-service and in-service programs.
- Coordinate collaborative research for program improvement.
- Serve as resource centers for curricular development.
- Act as hubs for networking and professional support among teacher education institutions.
- Promote mutual support and facilitate accreditation processes.
Creation of the Teacher Education Council
- Composed of 11 members: Secretary of Education (chairman), three ex officio members from CHED, NCCA, and PRC, and seven regular members appointed by the President.
- Regular members represent regions and various teacher specializations.
- Members serve three-year terms without compensation but receive expense reimbursements.
- Council meets at least quarterly.
Criteria for Selection of Regular Council Members
- Must possess integrity.
- Have expertise and significant experience in teacher education.
- Be recognized as experts nationally or internationally.
- Demonstrate willingness to serve.
Powers and Functions of the Council
- Identify and designate Centers of Excellence nationwide.
- Formulate policies and standards to improve teacher education.
- Initiate periodic curriculum reviews with participatory methods.
- Provide incentives like scholarships and grants to attract exceptional candidates.
- Encourage consortia and cooperative arrangements among teacher education schools.
- Design collaborative programs for teacher training and development.
- Conduct studies for policy formulation and program implementation.
- Review and recommend legislation and policies to enhance teacher education and teacher welfare.
- Advise government branches for improvements and mobilize assistance from agencies.
Secretariat
- The Council shall establish a secretariat headed by an executive director to administer its policies and programs.
Active Participation of Local Government Units
- Local government units must include teacher education development and improvement in their regional plans and programs.
Appropriation
- An initial appropriation of Php 100 million from the Department of Tourism's Trust Liability Account is allocated for the initial activities of the Centers and Council.
- Not more than 5% of funds shall cover Council expenses.
- Subsequent funding to come from the annual budget of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
Implementing Rules and Guidelines
- The Teacher Education Council is mandated to promulgate implementing rules and regulations within 60 days of the Act's approval.
Repealing Clause
- All laws, decrees, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity Clause
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.