TESDA, ECCD Council formalize tie-up to improve early child care thru skilled workforce
Photo by EDCOM 2.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council have signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) to professionalize the child development workforce and elevate the quality of early childhood education in the country.
The JMC formalizes the TESDA Board’s approval of the National Certificate (NC) III for Child Development Workers (CDWs) and lays down the operational guidelines for the implementation of the P80 million scholarship and certification program which sets out standardized training and assessment for CDWs.
The circular is in line with TESDA’s new training regulations which cover key competencies, such as managing child development center operations, assessing children’s growth and progress and implementing the early childhood care and development curriculum.
“Our youngest learners need immense help and support to achieve their potential. The CDWs play a critical role in that process. Through this JMC, parents and guardians can be confident that we will have competent CDWs in our child care centers,” TESDA Secretary and former EDCOM 2 Commissioner Kiko Benitez said.
As part of the partnership, TESDA will lead the development of competency standards, training and certification of trainers, the registration of ECCD Services NC III programs to be offered by training providers and certification of CDWs.
The ECCD Council, meanwhile, will assist in validating CDW eligibility, promoting the program nationwide and coordinating with local government units to ensure proper placement and support for scholars.
The effort stems from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) year-one report, which found that nearly 17% of the country’s 68,000 CDWs have only a high school education and a staggering 89% remain in non-permanent positions with an average monthly salary of just P5,000, offering neither job security nor regular benefits.
EDCOM 2 lauded the initiative, with Co-Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian emphasizing the need to equip CDWs with proper support, training and fair compensation to keep them in the field and incentivized.
To ensure effective implementation, TESDA has launched the Regional Lead Trainers’ Development Program, designed to develop a network of qualified trainers nationwide to lead the cascading of the new training regulations.
The approval of NC III is in line with the newly enacted Republic Act 12199, or the ECCD System Act, which mandates improved training and qualifications, increased compensation and ongoing professional development for CDWs and Child Development Teachers.
