Amending R.A. 7836 (Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994)

Sentate Office of the Secretaty TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 25 OCT 27 P4:47 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: S. No. M1466 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7836, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994" AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9293 EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 7836, also known as the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994, was enacted to uphold and enhance the quality of education by ensuring proper supervision and regulation of the licensure examination and promoting the professionalization of the teaching profession. It created the Board for Professional Teachers (BPT), under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), to fulfill its goals of promoting, developing, and professionalizing teachers while overseeing the licensure examination process. This proposed legislation aims to amend R.A. No. 7836 to further advance the professionalization of teachers. It seeks to incorporate demonstration teaching, among other methods, as a practical component of the evaluation process, in support of written examinations. The bill likewise institutionalizes additional modes of registration and licensure apart from the traditional Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT), thereby broadening access for experienced educators and graduates of accredited teacher education programs to obtain eligibility for basic education teaching. To strengthen the competence of the Board, the bill also raises the qualification requirements for its members, requiring at least a master's degree in education or its equivalent.

Through these amendments, the proposed legislation reaffirms the State's commitment to the continued advancement and professionalization of the teaching profession, recognizing that the quality and effectiveness of the education system are inherently dependent on the competence and excellence of its educators. Strengthening teacher professionalization constitutes a strategic investment in ensuring that educators are adequately equipped to address the evolving needs of learners and the demands of contemporary education. By cultivating teachers who are capable of inspiring, guiding, and shaping future leaders, this measure establishes a solid foundation for an education system that is responsive, inclusive, and resilient-fully prepared to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities of an increasingly dynamic and globalized environment. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO jang

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 25 OCT 27 P4:47 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1466 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7836, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994" AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9293 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as follows:

"Section 5. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There is hereby created under this Act a Board for Professional Teachers, hereinafter called the Board, a collegial body under the general supervision and administrative control of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of five (5) members, who duly possess all the qualifications prescribed in Section 8 of this Act, and who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. [The recommendees shall be chosen from the list of nominees selected by the accredited association of teachers, who duly possess all the qualifications prescribed in Section 8 of this Act] The chairman and the vice-chairman of the Board shall be appointed from these five (5) members by the President: Provided, That the members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall be automatically registered as professional teachers issued with the

certificate of registration and professional license upon payment of the fees for examination, registration, and other fees prescribed by the commission."

Sec. 2. Section 7 of the Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as follows:

"Section 7. Term of Office. - the members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years from the date they assume office. [Provided, That the first appointees to the Board under this Act shall hold office according to the following terms: one (1) member shall serve for one (1) year; one (1) member for two (2) years; the chairman, vice- chairman, and one (1) member for three (3) years.] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WHO ARE EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHALL BE SECONDED TO THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR TERM. Vacancies shall be served for the unexpired term only. No person who has served AS MEMBER OF THE BOARD for two (2) consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment. Appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be considered an appointment to a complete term."

Sec. 3. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as follows:

"Section 8. Qualifications of Board Members. - Each Board member must at the time of his or her appointment: (a) Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines; (b) Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, of proven integrity, and possessed of high moral values in his personal as well as professional conduct and has not been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude; [(c) Be a holder of the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education ad preferably a holder of a master's or doctorate degree in education, or their equivalents, from a university, school,

college, academy or institute duly constituted, recognized and/or accredited by the Philippine government;] (c) BE A HOLDER OF AT LEAST A MASTER'S DEGREE, PREFERABLY HOLDING A DOCTORATE DEGREE, IN EDUCATION, OR THEIR EQUIVALENT, FROM A UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL, COLLEGE, ACADEMY OR INSTITUTE DULY CONSTITUTED, RECOGNIZED AND/OR ACCREDITED BY THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT; (d) Be a professional teacher with a valid certificate of registration and valid professional license, save those members who shall compose the first Board for Professional Teachers; (e) Has been a professional teacher in the active practice of the teaching profession for at least ten (10) years [in the elementary and secondary levell; and (f) Not TO be, AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT an official or member of the faculty of, nor have pecuniary interest in any university, college, school, or institution conferring a bachelor's degree in education or its equivalents [for at least three (3) years prior to his appointment] and neither connected with a review center or with any group or association where review classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination are offered or conducted, NOR HAVE PECUNIARY INTEREST IN SUCH. PROVIDED, THAT THE PRC SHALL ISSUE THE APPROPRIATE RULES TO GOVERN THE PRACTICE OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO ENSURE THAT NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST SHALL ARISE IN THEIR FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE CONDUCT OF THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND RELEASE OF THE RESULTS. Provided, [however,] FURTHER, That the membership to the Board shall be evenly distributed to cover all levels of education,

including equitable representation of the different fields of specialization. PROVIDED, THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL ALSO HAVE THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE IN IMPLEMENTING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED BY TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL (TEC) AND REGULATED BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), TEST DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS, AND LOGISTICS IN IMPLEMENTING WIDE-SCALE ASSESSMENTS AND SYSTEM ACCREDITATIONS."

Sec. 4. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby further amended as follows:

"Section 12. Removal of a Board Member. - The chairman or any member of the Board may be removed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commission for the neglect of duty, incompetence, TERMINAL ILLNESS, unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct commission or tolerance of irregularities in the examination, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation. In the course of the investigation, the President may preventively suspend the Respondent."

Sec. 5. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby further amended as

follows: "Section 13. Examination, Registration, and License Required. - [Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as professional teachers shall be required to undergo a written examination which shall be given at least once a year in such places and dates as the Board may determine upon approval by the Commission. A valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the Commission are required before any

person is allowed to practice as a professional teacher in the Philippines, except as otherwise allowed under this Act.] APPLICANTS FOR REGISTRATION AS PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO EITHER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PATHWAYS: (1) A WRITTEN EXAMINATION WHICH SHALL BE GIVEN AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR IN SUCH PLACES AND DATES AS THE BOARD MAY DETERMINE UPON APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSION. A WRITTEN EXAMINATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR: (a) GRADUATES OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS, STATED IN SECTION 8 OF THOS ACT; (b) GRADUATES OF NON-EDUCATION PROGRAMS WHO HAVE COMPLETED 18 UNITS OF CERTIFICATION IN PROFESSIONA EDUCATION (CPE). (2) ACCREDITATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS BY THE TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL, WHEREIN GRADUATES OF THESE ACCREDITED PROGRAMS NEED TO SUBMIT A PORTFOLIO OF ATTAINMENT OF THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN LIEU OF TAKING THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION. (3) SUBMISSION OF A TEACHING EXPERIENCE PORTFOLIO FOR PURPOSES OF THOROUGH EVALUATION AND RECOGNITION OF KNOWLEDGE FOR EXPERTISE ACQUIRED, COMPARABLE TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TEACHING IN HIGH-LEVEL BASIC EDUCATION AND TERTIARY EDUCATION

PROGRAMS. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE PRC, TEC, AND CHED SHALL PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES FOR THE ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION, AND EQUIVALENCY OF PRIOR TEACHING EXPERIENCE TOWARDS THE AWARDING OF A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE TO TEACH, INCLUDING THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

Sec. 6. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby further amended as

follows: "Section 14. Scope of Examination. - [The examinations for the elementary and secondary school teachers shall be separate. The examination for teachers in the elementary level shall consist of two (2) parts, namely: professional education and general education. The examination for teachers in the secondary level shall consist of three (3) parts, namely: professional education, general education, and field of specialization. THE EXAMINATIONS FOR TEACHERS SHALL BE GIVEN SEPARATELY BY PROGRAM, ALIGNED WITH THE RELEVANT PROGRAMS, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ISSUED. THE EXAMINATIONS SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: (1) TEACHER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS; (2) TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY TEC AND REGULATED BY CHED; AND (3) EXISTING CURRICULUM OF BASIC AND CHILD CARE EDUCATION. THE EXAMINATIONS MAY INCLUDE A PRACTICAL COMPONENT AS A SUPPLEMENT TO WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS.

GRADUATES FROM NON-EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHALL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR EXAM PROGRAM REGARDLESS OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE. IN CASE OF FAILURE IN THE EXAM BY THE AFOREMENTIOND TAKERS, CONTENT COURSES IN THEIR CHOSEN SUBJECT SHALL BE REQUIRED BEFORE THEY CAN RETAKE THE EXAM.

Sec. 7. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 7836, as amended by Section 1

of Republic Act No. 9293, is hereby further amended as follows: "Section 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicant. - No applicant shall be admitted to take the examination unless, on the date of the filing of the application, he or she has complied with the following requirements: (a) A citizen of the Philippines or an alien whose country has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of the teaching profession; (b) At least eighteen (18) years of age; (c) In good health and of good reputation with high moral values; (d) Has not been convicted by final judgement by a court for an offense involving moral turpitude; (e) A graduate [of] FROM a [school, college or university] TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTE DULY recognized by the COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION [government] and possesses the minimum educational qualifications PURSUANT TO TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY TEC AND REGULATED BY CHED, OR EQUIVALENT PROGRAMS, OR OTHER PROGRAMS, AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY CHED, WITH AT LEAST EIGHTEEN (18) UNITS IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION,

(f) THE RESULTS OF THE EXAM SHALL BE GIVEN BY COMPONENT. IF AN APPLICANT HAS PREVIOUSLY FAILED TO PASS COMPONENT/S OF THE EXAMINATION IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, HE OR SHE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A REFRESHER COURSE FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT IN A CHED-RECOGNIZED TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO RETAKE THE EXAMINATION.

Sec. 8. Section 16 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 16. RELEASE OF QUESTIONS AND Report of the Results of the Examination. - The Board shall, NOT LATER THAN FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS ATER EXAM ADMINISTRATION, RELEASE THE QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION ON THE MAKERS OF THE EXAM TO THE PUBLIC. THE BOARD SHALL FORM A TESTING BOARD EVERY YEAR, TO CONSIST OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS ACCREDITED TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. THE EXAM SHALL BE VALIDATED THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY ASSESSMENT BEFORE AND AFTER ADMINISTRATION. ITEM ANALYSIS IS RECOMMENDED TO BE DONE AFTER EXAM ADMINISTRATION. ADDITIONALLY, the Board shall, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each candidate BY EXAM COMPONENT to the Professional Regulation Commission for approval and appropriate action. THE BOARD SHALL ALSO MAKE PUBLIC THE LICENSURE EXAM PERFORMANCE OF THE TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, WITH A 10-YEAR TRACK RECORD ANALYSIS, AS PROVIDED BY CHED, THROUGH APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCES FOR DISSEMINATION TO THE

PUBLIC INCLUDING POSTING OF THE SAME ON THE OFFICIAL PRC AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES' WEBSITES, AND PUBLICATIONS IN NEWSPAPERS OF NATIONAL CIRCULATION IN SUCH PERIOD AND FREQUENCY AS THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE. TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHALL UPON RELEASE OF SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN THE EXAMINATION, ALSO MAKE PUBLIC THEIR LICENSURE EXAM PERFORMANCE, WITH A 10-YEAR TRACK RECORD ANALYSIS THROUGH POSTING IN THREE (3) CONSPICUOUS PLACES ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS IF AVAILABLE. NO UNDUE PROMOTION OR ADVERTISEMENTS SHALL BE ALLOWED FOR REVIEW CENTERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES FOR PURPOSES OF OWNING CREDIT FOR PASSING OF THOSE WHO TOOK THE LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS FOR TEACHERS, AND SUCH CREDIT SHALL BE ATTRIBUTED SOLELY TO THE TEACHER.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Professional

Regulation Commission, shall within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 10. Transitory Provision. - The Professional Regulation Commission

and the Board of Professional Teachers shall update its existing policies and issuances relevant to this Act and ensure its alignment with the same within a period of six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act and report the same to Congress within the first year of its implementation.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

5 following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of 6 general circulation. Approved,