Strengthening Teacher Education, Scholarships

Law Summary

Declaration of Policy

The State protects and promotes the right to quality education at all levels.
Teachers are key to effective teaching-learning by nurturing learners holistically.
School leaders play a vital role in fostering effective teaching and active school culture.
The State commits to enhancing teacher education quality through scholarships, training, and leadership under the Teacher Education Council.

Definition of Terms

Excellence: Efficient, innovative delivery of quality teacher education.
Formal Education: Structured academic learning from kindergarten to graduate level.
In-Service Education: Professional development for education personnel.
Nonformal Education: Organized learning outside formal systems.
Other Teaching-Related Personnel: Includes guidance counselors, librarians, and others as defined.
Para-teachers: Licensure examination takers who qualify for special permits due to teacher shortages.
Pre-service Teacher Education Programs: Undergraduate degrees focused on mandatory teaching curriculum.
Pre-service Teachers: Students in teacher education degree programs.
Professional Standards: Standards used by DepEd defining teacher and school leader expectations.
School Leaders: Managers and supervisors at various school governance levels.
Teacher: Qualified person engaged in teaching at basic education level.
Teacher Education: Formal pre-service and in-service education and training.
Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (Teacher Education-COE): Institutions recognized for excellent teacher education track records.
Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs): HEIs recognized by CHED offering teacher education programs.
Teacher Education Programs: Academic programs enabling entry and professional growth in teaching.
Teacher Educators: Those educating pre-service and in-service teachers.

Scope and Coverage

The Act applies to teachers and school leaders in all public and private basic education institutions and TEIs.

Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (TE-COEs)

TE-COEs shall be designated in strategic locations in all regions.
Special TE-COEs for Special Needs Education will be established in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and key metropolitan areas.
Criteria for TE-COEs include:
- Highly qualified faculty with integrity and commitment.
- Talented and committed students.
- Adequate facilities and administrative support.
- Innovative curricula and relevant programs.
- Student services and extension programs.
- High licensure examination passing rates and graduates pursuing education careers.
TE-COEs form a national network linking with basic education schools for laboratory purposes.
TE-COEs will be evaluated every three years.

Objectives and Functions of TE-COEs

Provide innovative pre-service and in-service teacher education programs.
Coordinate collaborative research to improve teacher education.
Serve as resource centers for curricular and instructional materials.
Act as networking hubs for teacher education disciplines.
Mentor and assist TEIs in quality assurance and accreditation.
Promote mutual support among TEIs.
Maintain high research standards and publish relevant studies.
Participate in national agenda development for teacher education research.

Teacher Education Council: Composition

Composed of nine members attached to DepEd for budget coordination:
- Ex officio members: DepEd Secretary (Chairperson), CHED Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson), TESDA Director-General, NCCA Executive Director, PRC Chairperson.
- Four appointed regular members representing teachers, educational organizations, private institutions, and school leaders.
Members serve without compensation but receive expense reimbursements.
The Council meets at least quarterly.
Regular members serve three-year terms, renewable once.

Powers and Functions of the Council

Develop and establish a roadmap for teacher education.
Strengthen linkages between pre-service and in-service teacher education.
Set and monitor compliance with basic requirements for teacher education programs.
Identify, designate, and develop Teacher Education-COEs.
Maintain the integrity of professional standards and establish national examinations.
Create policies for career stage recognition and a pool of national assessors.
Implement incentive systems such as scholarships and loans.
Monitor and evaluate professional standards implementation.
Ensure professionalization aligns with standards and frameworks, guaranteeing transparency in licensure exams.
Recommend strategies to implement ladderized education for teachers and para-teachers.
Propose policies for recruitment and transition into teaching from other professions.
Undertake and disseminate research relevant to teaching and school leadership.
Administer the Council’s Secretariat and form advisory committees.
Encourage consortia among TEIs.
Recommend new policies and legislative measures.
Coordinate with government agencies requesting necessary assistance.
Maintain a list of TEIs and promulgate implementing rules.

Advisory Role of Philippine Normal University

Serves as the advisor to the Council, providing research and technical support.

Secretariat

Organized to support the Council’s functions, headed by an Executive Director.
Comprises:
- Quality Pre-service Teacher Education Office
- Quality Teaching Office
- Finance and Administration Office
Offices are headed by Directors and are responsible for coordination with TEIs, policy formulation, evaluation, and administrative support.

Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP)

Established for deserving students pursuing teacher education degrees.
Administered by the UniFAST Board in COEs.
Financial assistance includes tuition, allowances for books, supplies, accommodation, transport, licensure review, among others.
Applicants with other scholarships are ineligible.

Student Incentives Support Office

Develops programs to attract top students to teaching.
Conducts teacher demand analysis and recruitment campaigns.
Partners with schools for career talks.
Screens competent faculty mentors.
Manages scholarship programs including competitive exams for TESP.
Ensures scholar mentoring and regional coordination.

Appointment of Council Secretariat Executive Director

Appointed by Council Chairperson with members’ concurrence.
A five-year fixed term, not renewable.
Qualifications: Minimum of 10 years teaching experience, master’s degree, significant contribution to teacher education.

Policy Implementation Review and Assessment

Every five years, DepEd Secretary, CHED Chairperson, and Council Advisor assess the implementation of teacher education policies.

Coordination with Government Agencies

Regular reporting and coordination with DepEd, CHED, PRC, TESDA, NCCA, and UniFAST Board for effective policy implementation and data sharing.

Role of Local Government Units

Required to incorporate teacher education development into local plans and programs.

Institutionalization of the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines (NEAP)

NEAP is institutionalized to provide quality professional development for in-service teachers, school leaders, and related personnel.
NEAP is a component of DepEd, headed by a presidential appointee Executive Director.
Organizational structure and staffing determined by DepEd Secretary.

Powers and Functions of NEAP

Collaboration with the Council for continuity in teacher education.
Designing and implementing professional development aligned with professional standards.
Overseeing professional development programs including those by other providers.
Conducting research and evaluating program effectiveness.
Ensuring equitable access and provide scholarships for advanced studies.
Linking professional development to career progression.
Establishing a professional development information system.
Collaborating with stakeholders and PRC for accreditation compliance.
Charging fees for certain programs, establishing a dedicated NEAP Fund.

Transitional and Implementation Provisions

Existing Council personnel holdover pending organizational restructuring.
Appointment deadlines set for regular members and executive positions.
Existing NEAP personnel transitioned to new structure.
Recruitment and hiring follow Civil Service rules.

Reporting to Congress

Annual reports by the Council starting three years after constitution, covering:
- Teacher education roadmap progress
- Issues and solutions
- Professionalization initiatives

Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Teacher Education

Established to oversee implementation, composed of 10 members from Senate and House specializing in education committees.

Appropriations

DepEd budget to include funds needed for implementation.
Council to have a separate budget as an attached agency from the second year.
NEAP’s budget remains part of DepEd’s budget.

Implementing Rules and Regulations

To be issued within 60 days by DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and PRC in consultation with stakeholders.
Effective 30 days after publication.
Copies to be transmitted to Congress within three months of effectivity.

Separability Clause

Invalidity of any provision does not affect the remainder of the Act.

Repealing Clause

Republic Act No. 7784 and all inconsistent laws are repealed or amended accordingly.

Effectivity

The Act takes effect 15 days after publication regardless of IRR issuance.