The Department of Education (DepEd) signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Expanded Career Progression System for public school teachers on July 26, aiming to address long-standing concerns of the slow promotion process for teachers in public schools.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, who led the ceremonial signing, emphasized that the new IRR fulfills President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to value and support the country’s educators.
The IRR provides a clear career path for teachers and raises their salaries upon promotion, addressing long-standing issues in the education sector.
“Si Presidente, ang unang bukambibig nya po sa akin ay ‘alagaan natin ang mga teachers’. Yun ay hinding-hindi natin makakalimutan at nag-expound pa s’ya dito sa kanyang State of the Nation Address nung sinabi n’yang ayaw n’yang may makita na magreretirong Teacher 1 [The President, the first thing he said to me was ‘let’s take care of the teachers’. We will never forget that and he even expounded it here in his State of the Nation Address when he said that he did not want to see Teacher 1 retire],” Angara said during the ceremony.
The signing, held at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City, was attended by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Civil Service Commission Chairperson Karlo Nograles, and Professional Regulatory Commission Chair Charito Zamora.
This reform offers teachers flexibility. Qualified Master Teacher I candidates can choose to stay in classroom teaching or move into school administration, allowing skilled teachers to take on leadership roles and improve school management.
The DepEd, with the DBM, will also enhance reclassification processes so teachers can advance based on merit and competence, not just available positions.
Angara emphasized that the new system will allow teachers to choose freely between the teaching and administrative tracks without sacrificing the quality of education.
The new IRR addresses the long-standing issue of teachers being stuck in the same position for years.
Citing a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Angara said half of Teacher 3 educators surveyed could remain in the position for 15 years.
The DepEd chief also thanked the EDCOM 2 for their legislative work on the Expanded Career Progression System.
EDCOM 2 co-chairpersons, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Representative Roman Romulo, along with other commissioners, were key icons in drafting the provisions for the Expanded Career Progression System in Senate Bill No. 2029 and House Bill No. 8393.
