DepEd's expanded career system to fast-track teachers' promotion

The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday that its new Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System is designed to open more opportunities for teachers to advance in their careers without waiting for plantilla vacancies, while maintaining a strictly merit-based promotion system.

The reform, which supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s education agenda, directly addresses long-standing concerns among public school teachers that career growth has been tied to available positions rather than qualifications and performance.

“Ang malinaw na mensahe ng ECP: kung handa ka, may pagkakataon kang umangat. Hindi mo kailangang maghintay na may mabakanteng posisyon bago kilalanin ang iyong husay at sipag,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. 

(The clear message of the ECP is this: if you’re ready, you have the opportunity to move up. You don’t need to wait for a position to be vacated before your skills and hard work are recognized.)

“Teachers can progress once they meet the standards, rather than be held back by structural limits.”

DepEd said a P6 billion allocation in 2026 will support around 113,000 teacher and school head promotions, with priority given to retiring Teacher I personnel.

Clearer career lines, fairer rules

The ECP introduces two career tracks: Classroom Teaching (CT), covering Teacher I to VII and Master Teacher I to V — and School Administration (SA), covering School Principal I to IV. Educators may shift career lines once, provided they meet qualifications, assessments, and staffing standards.

To maintain balance and merit, promotion limits such as the three-salary-grade cap on reclassification remain in place, with exceptions allowed only upon approval by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or the Department of Budget and Management.

Teachers applying for reclassification must meet a 50-point requirement for teaching positions, while principals face no cutoff score. DepEd said focusing on one target position at a time helps teachers avoid wasted effort and expenses.

On performance standards, the agency clarified that a single “Satisfactory” rating under the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST)-based IPCRF does not disqualify teachers from promotion within the same career stage. However, advancing to a higher stage such as from Proficient to Highly Proficient — requires “Very Satisfactory” or “Outstanding” ratings across all 37 PPST indicators.

DepEd also removed waiting periods as a barrier, saying teachers promoted in the previous year can reapply after one year within the same stage, provided they meet qualification and performance standards.

Prioritized for promotion

DepEd assured that current Head Teachers, Assistant School Principals, Special School Principals, and Assistant Special School Principals will remain covered by the ECP. 

Over the next three years, they will be prioritized for promotion and professional development and may opt to be retitled under the new system without losing their salary grade or step increment.

Incumbent school principals appointed before the implementation of assessments such as the Principal’s Test, NQESH, or NASH will also not be required to take new exams or submit a Certificate of Rating when applying for higher principal positions.

Angara underscored that the ECP is not an added burden but an opportunity for growth.

DepEd urged teachers to support the reform, saying the new system was designed to reward readiness, competence, and professional growth.

“The ECP honors the choices of teachers — whether to stay in the classroom or move into leadership — while ensuring every step up is grounded on merit and fairness,” Angara added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News