Signing of IRR clears way for implementation of law improving teachers’ training, education

TEACHING THEM RIGHT Teacher Erlinda Alfonso instructs Grade 2 pupils how to read properly at San Francisco Elementary School in Quezon City. File photo/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for a law seeking to improve the quality of education of students and training for teachers has been signed.

This paves the way for the full enforcement of the measure signed during the Duterte administration.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said the IRR for the Teacher Education Excellence Act was already signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III.

It was likewise signed by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Danilo Cruz, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairperson Charito Zamora, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Oscar Casaysay, among others.

The law amends Republic Act 7784, which strengthens teachers’ education in the Philippines by establishing Centers of Excellence and creating a Teacher Education Council (TEC).

“As we combat the education crisis, it is important that we ensure that our teachers are sufficiently prepared, which we can do if we provide them with quality education,” Gatchalian said in Filipino.

Gatchalian authored and sponsored the measure in the Senate during the 18th Congress.

The law revamped the TEC to improve coordination among the Department of Education, CHEd, and PRC.

“This will ensure coherence of teacher education programs from pre-service to in-service,” the senator explained.

Among the tasks of TEC is to set and mandate basic requirements for teachers’ education programs.

It should likewise ensure a strong and transparent link between the results of teacher education initiatives and the professional standards for teachers and school leaders, research, and international best practices.

The TEC is also mandated to draft a roadmap for teacher education, which will be submitted to CHEd for its inclusion in the national higher education roadmap.

The law further requires the TEC to find, establish, and develop Teacher Education – Centers of Excellence across all regions in the country.

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