DepEd pushes teacher education reforms through TEC

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday reiterated its call for teacher education reforms through the Teacher Education Council (TEC).

In a statement on Saturday, DepEd Secretary and TEC Chairman Sonny Angara said that improving the quality of teachers is vital in improving the quality of education in the country.

“Kung gusto nating makakita ng pagbabago sa bawat silid-aralan, kailangan nating tiyakin na ang bawat guro ay handa, may sapat na kaalaman, at may tuloy-tuloy na suporta. Dito nagsisimula ang tunay na reporma,” he said.

(If we want to see a change in every classroom, we need to ensure that every teacher is ready with enough knowledge and has continuous support. This is where true reforms begin.)

The statement comes after the first annual TEC report 4 listed challenges in teacher preparation, licensing, and professional development as factors that affect the quality of education.

The TEC is a body tasked with creating a teacher education roadmap under RA 11713. Among its mandates is setting basic requirements for teacher education programs. It also needs to formulate a strategic plan to proactively develop Teacher Education-Centers of Excellence in every region and province.

The TEC has already implemented several reforms in line with its goals, including a reframed pre-service teacher education curriculum, profiling of 1,570 Teacher Education Institutions, and coordination with the PRC for specialization-based licensure exams by September 2025.

“We are building a better education system from the ground up, and that starts with preparing our teachers,” added Angara. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News