MANILA: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday called for the approval of Senate Bill No. 2840, which aims to amend the existing Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act. The bill proposes significant changes to enhance the qualifications of teachers and streamline the processes of teacher education and licensure in the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Bill (SB) No. 2840 seeks to revise Republic Act No. 7836, also known as the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act, further amended by Republic Act No. 9293. The bill addresses several key areas, including the qualifications of the Board for Professional Teachers, conflict of interest issues, and alternative pathways for teacher registration.
Senator Gatchalian emphasized the importance of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) as a benchmark for assessing the capabilities of prospective teachers. He highlighted concerning statistics from 2017 to 2019, where the average national passing rates for elementary and secondary educa
tion examinees were below 50 percent. A World Bank study from 2009 to 2017 also indicated a need for improvement in teacher preparation, as many teachers showed inadequate content knowledge.
The proposed changes in SB 2840 include stricter qualifications for Board Members, who would now be required to hold at least a master’s degree, and preferably a doctorate, from a recognized institution. The bill also proposes that graduates from accredited centers of excellence in teacher education, who have maintained an 80 percent pass rate over five years, could bypass the licensure exam by submitting a professional standards portfolio.
Furthermore, the bill allows for the registration of individuals with at least ten years of teaching experience without taking the licensure exam, provided they apply within three years of the act’s implementation and submit a teaching experience portfolio. Additionally, those who fail the licensure exam three times must complete a refresher course before reattempting.
The Professio
nal Regulation Commission (PRC) would be required to submit exam questions and answers to the Teacher Education Council immediately after each examination. Following the release of results, the PRC must also publicize the exam questions and the performance of Teacher Education Institutions, as well as individual candidate ratings.
The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and several other educational bodies will have the opportunity to nominate candidates for the five-member Board for Professional Teachers, with the final selection made by the President.
Senator Gatchalian’s push for these reforms highlights a critical move towards enhancing the quality and preparedness of teachers in the Philippines, ensuring that educational standards are met and maintained across the nation.