SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill 52 which seeks to further amend Republic Act 7836, or the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994.
The bill proposes expanding the membership of the Board for Professional Teachers and introduces separate licensure examinations for teachers specializing in special needs education and early childhood education. These would be in addition to existing examinations for elementary and secondary education.
Under the bill, the Professional Regulation Commission, in coordination with the Teacher Education Council, would be authorized to prescribe the scope and coverage of licensure examinations for other fields of specialization, as well as the qualifications required for examinees. This provision aims to align teacher licensure with diverse learning needs and emerging educational fields.
The measure also introduces stricter requirements for licensure applicants. Those who fail the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers twice would be required to complete a refresher course before retaking the exam, a move intended to improve competency and readiness among future teachers.
Additionally, applicants would be required to submit a professional portfolio demonstrating their adherence to established teaching standards as part of the licensure process. The bill empowers the Teacher Education Council to formulate guidelines for the preparation and evaluation of these portfolios.
Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, emphasized the need to modernize teacher preparation and assessment amid rapid changes in teaching methodologies and learning environments.
“It is important to ensure that our teachers are prepared and have sufficient skills and knowledge, especially now that teaching methods are constantly changing,” Gatchalian said.
