Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

4785

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite increased spending in education and various efforts for reform,
the Philippines has not substantially improved learning in its schools over the
past few decades. Although progress has been made in the access of education,
the Country still lags in educational aptitude and achievement compared to its
regional neighbours.

Current literature supports the fact that teachers are the main driver of
in-school effects on student attainment. The difference made by a well-trained
and effective teacher cannot be understated. Teachers are the essential link in
the chain from education spending to student learning, so improving teacher
effectiveness is a critical component for improving student outcomes.

‘Teacher effectiveness depends on whether they know what to teach and
the best way to teach it. The environment in which teachers work has
significantly changed over the past decades, yet the method of teaching has not
been sufficiently adapted to the current times. Unless actions to update
teaching in the new environment take place, there will not be a substantial
improvement in the quality of our students.

Teaching is a noble and thankless profession. As of this moment, there
are no existing free programs for continuing teacher education in our country.
Teachers are left to their own devices if they wish to further develop their
training and education. Acknowledging the need to continually educate our
teachers and to further develop the teaching profession, this Bill seeks to
provide a mandatory teacher’s education program to be implemented by the
Government at no cost to our teachers.


Teaching, is a learned skill. It must be nurtured and developed. In order
for teachers to realize their full potential, they must be given the opportunity to
hone their craft. The establishment of a program for mandatory continuing
education for teachers will improve and enrich the effectiveness of teachers in
delivering the education that the students of our Country greatly deserve.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 4785 _

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

AN ACT
INSTITUTING A PROGRAM FOR THE MANDATORY CONTINUING
EDUCATION OF TEACHERS IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS,
IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Continuing
Education for Teachers Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of
teachers in nation-building and development through a responsible and literate
citizenry. It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right
of all citizens to receive quality education. It is likewise universally recognized
that the teacher is the key to the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process
by drawing out and nurturing the best in the learner as a human being and a
worthy member of society. Towards this end, the State shall endeavour to
provide and ensure quality education by strengthening the education and
training of teachers nationwide and equipping them with the necessary training
and skills so that they may keep abreast with developments in instructional
and teaching techniques.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:


(a) “Education Activity” shall refer to an organized method of learning
chosen by the Provider to conduct the continuing education of
teachers;

(b) ‘Mandatory Continuing Education” shall refer to a an institutionalized
system whereby teachers shall complete once a year, at least sixteen
(24) hours of mandatory continuing education activities or any
number of hours not less than twenty four (24) as may be determined
by the executive committee, such as but not limited to; training in
professional education and general education and teaching methods
in their field of specialization;

(0) “Program” shall refer to the system determined by the Department of
Education with which to deliver and implement the continuing
education of teachers;

(d) “Provider” shall refer to the person or entity that shall be determined
by the Executive Committee to conduct the Education Activities that
will continually educate the teachers concerned;

(c) “Teacher” shall refer to all persons engaged in teaching at the primary
and secondary levels, whether on full-time or part-time basis, and ail
other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions
in all schools in the aforesaid levels and qualified to practice teaching
under Republic Act No. 7836.

SEC. 4. Coverage ~ The National Government shall engage and
undertake a complete and comprehensive national program for mandatory
continuing education for all primary and secondary teachers in both private
and public educational institutions as well as formal and non-formal
institutions of learning. Teachers who possess a post graduate degree are not
covered by this Act, but they may voluntarily attend and participate in the
program.

SEC, 5. Implementation of the Program. - The Mandatory Continuing
Teacher's Education Program shall consist of at least twenty four (24) hours of
mandatory continuing education activities each year or any number of hours
not less than twenty four (24) per year that may be determined by the executive
committee to be preferably conducted at least eight (8) hours per day on
consecutive days, at the end of every school year and before the resumption of
classes. As far as practicable, the program shall be conducted in the school


district where the teachers belong to as determined by the Department of
Education.

This section shall in no case, be a restriction on the ability of the
Executive Committee concerned to provide for the manner in which the
required hours of continuing education must be completed.

SEC.6. Guiding Principles. - In the formulation and implementation of
the program for mandatory continuing education for teachers, the State shall
be guided by the following principles;

(a) The program should include training and practice in the different

techniques, approaches and strategies that would help teachers to
plan and impart instruction, provide appropriate reinforcement and
conduct effective assessment. It shall likewise provide effective
classroom management skills, preparation and use of instructional
materials and communication skills, as well as training in new
developments in the school curriculum;

(b) The State shall ensure that the program for mandatory continuing

teacher education is not only beneficial for the students but must also
be beneficial for the teacher's professional growth and development;

(0c) The State shall provide a program that is globally competitive and at

the same time customized and suited to the Philippine education
setting;

(d) The program shall be free and no cost shall be passed on to the

teachers for attendance and completion;

(c) The State shall ensure that the continuing education program shall be

implemented in a venue that is accessible and will not cause undue
burden to the teachers. It shall ensure that the venue is accessible by
the usual modes of travel and is at a place which will be most
convenient for teachers;

The program must likewise provide, upon its completion, an
assessment that shall adequately quantify the effectiveness of the
program.

SEC. 7. Standards for Education Activities. — All continuing teacher’s
education activity must meet the following standards:


(a) The activity shall have significant intellectual or practical content, and
the primary objective shall be to increase the participant's
professional competence as a teacher and his or her ability to deliver
quality educational services in an efficient and competent manner;

(b) The activity shall constitute an organized program of learning, dealing
with matters directly related to the practice of teaching, professional
responsibility, or ethical obligations of teachers;

(©) The activity must be constituted of organized programs of learning
related to classroom subjects and other related academic activities
that shall enhance teaching and non-teaching skills, as well as
improvements in writing and oral advocacy.

This section shall in no case, be a restriction on the ability of the
Executive Committee concerned in formulating additional standards and
regulations with regard to the program and education activities.

SEC.8, The Executive Committee on Continuing Teacher Education.
~ The Department of Education shall create their respective Executive
Committee which shall be directly responsible for the effective implementation
of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

The Executive Committee in the Department of Education shall be
composed of the Department Secretary, as the ex-officio chairman, and a
Commissioner of the Professional Regulations Commission as an ex-officio
member. The Chairman shall appoint the other members of the committee who
shall be composed of the following;

(a) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher’s
organization from Luzon;

(b) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher's
organization from the Visayas;

(0) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher’s
organization from Mindanao;


(d) A private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher’s
organization from Luzon;

(c) A private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher’s
organization from the Visayas;

() A private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher’s
organization from Mindanao.

SEC.9. The Program for Continuing Teacher Education. - Subject to
the rules that shall be adopted by the respective Executive Committees, the
program for continuing teacher’s education shall be conducted by the
Executive Committee concerned or by an accredited service provider.

SEC.10. Appropriations. - The amount of One Hundred Million pesos
(P100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this
Act which shall be incorporated in the Annual Budget of the Department of
Education. Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the implementation
of the program as determined by the Executive Committee of the Department of
Education shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Annual report to Congress. — The Department of Education
shall respectively render an annual report to the Congress reporting on the
accomplishment of the Program.

SEC. 12. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. - Within
three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act and every three (3) years
thereafter, Department of Education shall respectively conduct an assessment
on the impact of the program to the quality of education in the country.

SEC, 13. Implementing Guidelines. - The Executive Committee of the
Department of Education shall respectively issue the rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 14, Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.


SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national papers of general
circulation.

Approved,