AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY ENHANCING THE TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL, ESTABLISHING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM, INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL EDUCATORS' ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7784, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY ESTABLISHING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, CREATING A TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"

Eighteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July, two thousand twenty one.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11713, April 27, 2022 ]

AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY ENHANCING THE TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL, ESTABLISHING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM, INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL EDUCATORS' ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7784, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY ESTABLISHING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, CREATING A TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"

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

Section 1. Republic Act No. 7784, entitled "An Act to Strengthen Teacher Education in the Philippines by Establishing Centers of Excellence, Creating a Teacher Education Council for the Purpose, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes," is hereby amended, as follows:

Section 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 3. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7784 andall other laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 10301 and Senate Bill No. 2152 was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on January 31, 2022.

Approved: APR 27 2022

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines

"Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Excellence in Teacher Education Act."

"Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to make such education accessible and relevant to all. It is likewise universally recognized that the teacher is the key to effective teaching-learning processes by drawing out and nurturing the best in the learner as a human being and a worthy member of society. Further, the State recognizes the role of school leaders in supporting teachers by fostering an environment for effective teaching and a school culture that develops enthusiastic and independent learners who are committed to lifelong learning.

"Towards this end, the State shall ensure and enhance the quality education and training of teachers nationwide by establishing a scholarship program for deserving students pursuing teacher education degree programs, and for teachers and school leaders pursuing graduate degree programs, and providing a dynamic, modern, and equitable education system through the national leadership of the Teacher Education Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which is mandated to carry out this vision through the development of teachers and school leaders who are of unquestionable integrity and competence, and who are committed to the pursuit of their continuing professional growth and obligation to help learners grow as responsible, competent and productive individuals and citizens of the Philippines and of the world."

"Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

"Section 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to teachers and school leaders in all public and private basic education institutions, and to all public and private TEIs."

"Section 5. Teacher Education-COE. - There shall be identified, designated, established or developed in strategic places in each of the regions of the country, one or more Teacher Education-COEs based on the criteria listed hereunder, assessed and adjudged by the Council.

"Should the need arise, certain Teacher Education-COEs at the provincial level may later be established, identified, or developed. "At least one (1) TEI from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao shall be established as a Center of Excellence in Special Needs Education.

"The criteria in identifying schools and colleges as Teacher Education-COEs shall include the following:

"The Teacher Education-COEs shall form a national network which in turn shall engage with elementary schools, high schools and/or a part thereof for laboratory purposes.

"Any designated Teacher Education-COE shall be reviewed and evaluated every three (3) years to ensure that it continues to possess the criteria prescribed herein under this Act."

"Section 6. Objectives and Functions of a Teacher Education-COE. - The objectives and functions of a Teacher Education-COE shall be to:

"Section 7. Teacher Education Council; Composition. - The Council shall be composed of nine (9) members. The Council, along with its Secretariat, shall be attached to the DepEd solely for budgetary coordination and related purposes.

"It shall be composed of the following:

"The members of the Council shall serve without any compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties under this Act.

"The Council shall meet at least four (4) times a year and hold such other meetings at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of the Council's members.

"All regular members of the Council shall hold office for a period of three (3) years and may be reappointed once for another three (3) years."

"Section 8. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall implement the provisions of this Act and shall continue to exercise the following powers and functions:

"Section 9. Advisor to the Council. - The Philippine Normal University, the designated National Center for Teacher Education under Republic Act No. 9647, shall serve as the advisor to the Council by providing research-based, strategic, and innovative recommendations and technical support on teacher education."

"Section 10. Secretariat. - A Secretariat is hereby organized to assist the Council in executing its policies and programs, and provide the necessary administrative and technical support.

"The Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall exercise general supervision and control over the technical and administrative personnel of the offices under the Secretariat. The Executive Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director who shall coordinate and oversee the regional operations.

"The Council shall fix the staffing pattern of the Secretariat and determine the qualifications, functions, and compensation scheme for the positions to be created. The Council shall further prepare the necessary budget for the operationalization of the Secretariat.

"The Secretariat shall initially be composed of the following offices, each to be headed by a Director:

"Section 11. Establishment of a Teacher Education Scholarship Program. - A Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) shall be established under this Act, for deserving basic education graduates both from public and private schools, and tertiary level students to pursue undergraduate teacher education degree program, in all Teacher Education-COEs which shall be implemented by the UniFAST Board.

"The financial assistance under the TESP shall include the following, depending on the needs of the student grantee:

"The TESP and the eligibility criteria and conditions for the acceptance and disqualification thereto, in addition to the minimum requirements and conditions prescribed by the UniFAST Board, shall be determined and incorporated by the Council in its policy on an effective system of incentives. Grantees of other incentives under existing laws shall be prohibited from availing of the incentives under the TESP."

"Section 12. Student Incentives Support Office. - A Student Incentives Support Office shall be established to create and implement programs that shall attract and encourage top caliber students to the teaching profession and shall establish a scholarship program for qualified students which the UniFAST Board shall implement. Its functions shall include the following:

"Section 13. Appointments. - The Executive Director of the Secretariat shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Council, upon the concurrence of the members. The Executive Director shall have a fixed term of five (5) years, unless sooner removed by the concurrence of the Council, and shall not be eligible for reappointment. The Executive Director must be engaged in the practice of teaching for at least ten (10) years, holder of at least a master's degree in education or any related field, and has contributed to the improvement of teacher quality or teacher education in the country. The Executive Director shall have the rank, privileges, and emoluments of an Executive Director V.

"The selection of Deputy Executive Director and the Directors shall be done by the Council in accordance with the relevant rules, standards and procedures on the selection and classification of members of the career executive services. Said positions shall be in accordance with the Compensation and Position Classification System subject to the review and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)."

"Section 14. Policy Implementation Review and Assessment. - For the purpose of fully optimizing policy development on teacher education and reinforcing the role of the Council in linking pre-service and in-service education and training, the Secretary of the DepEd, the Chairperson of the CHED and the President of the Advisor to the Council shall conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the DepEd and the CHED's implementation of policies on teacher education every five (5) years."

"Section 15. Coordination with Other Government Agencies. - The Council shall closely coordinate with the following agencies involved in education programs for effective implementation of its powers and functions:

"Section 16. Active Participation of Local Government Units. - Local government units shall include in their plans, programs, and projects the development and improvement of teacher education through the Teacher Education-COEs in their respective regions."

"Section 17. Institutionalizing the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines. - Pursuant to the State mandate to enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement and to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education, the NEAP is hereby institutionalized to provide quality professional development programs on teacher education to in-service teachers, school leaders, and other teaching-related personnel in all public and private basic education institutions. It shall employ a world-class approach to professional development that is based on strong evidence and research.

"The NEAP shall be a component unit of the DepEd. It shall be headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DepEd. "The Secretary of the DepEd shall establish the organizational structure of the NEAP, fix the staffing pattern, and determine the qualifications, functions, and compensation for the positions to be created."

"Section 18. Powers and Functions of the NEAP. - For the continuing professional development of in-service teachers, school leaders, and other teaching-related personnel in all basic education institutions, the NEAP shall:

"The NEAP shall provide access to professional development programs for private school teachers, school leaders, and other teaching-related personnel. It may extend scholarships and fellowships as may be deemed necessary."

"Section 19. Creation of New Items and Transitory Provisions. - (a) The personnel of the existing Council shall, in a holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities until such time that the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Secretariat shall have been approved: Provided, That the preparation and approval of the new organizational structure and staffing pattern shall, as far as practicable, respect and ensure the security of tenure and seniority rights of affected government employees.

"Section 20. Report to Congress. - The Council shall submit to Congress, on or before the fifteenth day of June of every year, its report on the status and progress of teacher education and teacher quality in the country, as well as its recommendations in promoting quality education through teacher education.

"The report shall include the following topics and other areas of concern to be stipulated under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act:

"The submission of the annual report required under this section shall commence three (3) years from the constitution of the Council."

"Section 21. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Teacher Education. - There is hereby created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) on Teacher Education to oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of this Act. The JCOC shall be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives with the Chairpersons of the Committees on Basic Education of both houses as Co-Chairpersons. The Chairpersons of the Committees on Higher and Technical Education of both Houses shall likewise be designated as members of the JCOC. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall designate the other three (3) members of the JCOC of the House and the Senate, respectively, from among the members of the Committees on Basic Education, one (1) member of which shall be from the Minority."

"Section 22. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Education shall immediately include in the DepEd's budget the amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That on the second year of implementation, and thereafter, the Council along with its Secretariat shall have its own budget in the annual General Appropriations Act, as an attached agency of the DepEd.

"The budget of the NEAP shall continue to be part of the budget of the DepEd."

"Section 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, the CHED, the TESDA, and the PRC shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, issue the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. The IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

"Copies of the IRR as published shall be transmitted to Congress, through the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture and the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture, not later than three (3) months after the effectivity of this Act."