Republic of the Philippines

ECEIV
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 Me VED

Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3926

__ INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has not considerably improved learning in its schools over the past few
decades, despite increased spending in education and various efforts for reform. Although
progress has been made in the access of education, the country still lags in educational

aptitude and achievement compared to its regional neighbors.

Teachers are the main drivers of in- School effects on student attainment. The difference
made by a well-trained and effected teacher cannot be understated. Teacher are the essential
link in the chain from education spending to student learning, so improving teacher

effectiveness is a critical component for improving students’ outcomes.

‘Teacher effectiveness depends on whether they 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
action to update teaching in the new environment take place, there will not be a substantial

improvement in the quality of our student.

Teaching is a noble and difficult 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 teacher 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 home 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 earnestly sought.

‘ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3926

HOUSE BILL NO

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

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
THEREFOR

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 of 2019.”

SECTION. 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 endeavor 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.

SECTION. 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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 an institutionalized system whereby
teachers shall complete once a year, at least sixteen (16) 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;

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

4) “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.

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

SECTION. 4. Implementation of the program ~ The 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) hour per day on consecutive days, at the
end of every school year and before the resumption on classes. As far as practicable, the Program
shall be conducted in the school district where the teachers belong to as determined by the
DepEd.

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.

SECTION. 5. Guiding Principles - in the formulation and implementation of the
Program, 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 skill, preparation and use of instructional Materials and
communication skills, as well as training in new Development in the school curriculum;

b) The State shall ensure that the Program is not only beneficial for the Students but must
also be beneficial for the teacher's professional Growth and development;

¢) The State shall provide @ 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;

e) The state shall ensure that the 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;


f) The Program must likewise provide, upon its completion, an assessment that shall
adequately quantity the effectiveness of the program.

SECTION. 6. Standards for Education Activities. ~ All continuing teacher's Education
activities 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 service in an efficient and competent
manner;

b) The activity shall have a curriculum dealing with matters directly-related to the practice
of teaching, professional responsibility, or ethical obligation of teachers;

c) The activity shall have programs of learning related to classroom subject and other related
academic activities which enhances teaching and non-teaching skills, as well
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 regulation with regard to the program
and education activities.

SECTION. 7. The Executive Committee on Continuing Teacher Education. —
The DepEd 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 DepEd 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 member 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 form 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;

c) 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 three (3) candidates recommended by a
government-recognized public-school teacher's organization form Luzon;


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

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

SEC.8. The Program for Continuing Teacher Education - Subject to the rules that shall be
adopted by the respective Executive Committees, the Program shall be conducted by the
Executed Committee concerned or by an accredited service provider.

SEC.9. Appropriation. — 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 DepEd. Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the implementation
of the Program as determined by the Executive Committee of the DepEd shall be incorporated in
the General appropriation Act.

SECTION. 10. Annual Report to Congress. - DepEd shall respectively render an annual
report to the Congress reposting on the accomplishment of the Program.

SECTION. 11. Evaluation of the Program ~ Within three (3) years from the effectivity of
this Act and every three (3) years thereafter, the DepEd shall respectively conduct an assessment
on the impact of the Program to the quality of education in the country.

SECTION. 12. Implementing Guidelines. - The Executive Committee of the DepEd shall
respectively issue the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the act within One
Hundred Twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION. 13. Separability Clause. — if any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain | full force and effect.

SECTION. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive order,
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with
this Act hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national paper of general circulation.

Approved,