ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
The Teacher Education Roadmap 2024-2033 is a strategic plan that aims to improve the quality and relevance of teacher education in the Philippines. It was developed by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in collaboration with various stakeholders1.
The roadmap is expected to have a positive impact on the educational status of the Philippines by producing competent, committed, and compassionate teachers who can effectively facilitate learning and contribute to nation-building1. According to the Global Education Monitoring Report 2022, the Philippines has made significant progress in achieving gender equality in education, but still faces challenges in ensuring quality, equity, and inclusion for all learners.
In this second instalment this modest writer dwells on some specific issues that for me are exponents of the well-planned roadmap which upon reading imprinted in me, more than a topical admiration but of deep dive love for the good possibilities it is packed with.
For one, it thoroughly tackles the Wellbeing. Professional and Career Development and Qualification of Public-School Teachers, based on RA 7836 or the Professionalization Act of Philippine Teachers of 1994, Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, and the Philippine Professional Standards. All these leaves nothing to chance and take away the power of political backing and endorsements, one that subvert the proper ranking of teacher applicants. Perhaps, the disgusting power that politicians hold on some Schools Division Offices are placed at the minimum because of the guidelines stipulated herein.
Secondly, in one segment called Low Financial Motivation Impact on Quality and retention Challenges, the Department of Education without mincing words DepED accepted the fact that perception of having teacher education as a low reward pre-service course in college as truth. Compared to the police and other uniformed Personnel, teaching is an inferior profession in terms of salary and incentives, high time that this reality is mentioned and acknowledged.
As space will not suffice for my comments which has been mostly positive, I will make another column on the matter, soon.
