By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
PASIG CITY — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara led the ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 174, series of 2022, “Establishing The Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers” at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan of the DepEd Central Office on Friday (July 26).
The signatories in the IRR were Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) Chairperson Charito A. Zamora, and (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.
Others present were Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Ryan Alvin R. Acosta, House Committee on Basic Education Chair Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, DepEd Undersecretary Wilfrredo E. Cabral, former ACT Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio, among others.
Public school teachers in the Philippines are set to benefit from the newly-signed IRR for the Expanded Career Progression System, led by Education Secretary Angara.
Joined by Budget Secretary Pangandaman, CSC Commissioner Acosta, and PRC Chair Zamora, Secretary Angara stressed the importance of this initiative for teachers’ professional development and career advancement.
Executive Order 174, which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R Marcos, Jr. has endorsed, aims to address long-standing concerns about the slow promotion process for public school teachers.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday (July 22), President Marcos Jr. expounded that no public school teacher should retire as Teacher I, highlighting the need for a more dynamic career progression system.
Under the new IRR, the Classroom Teaching Career Line will now include additional teaching positions: Teacher IV (SG 14), Teacher V (SG 15), Teacher VI (SG 16), Teacher VII (SG 17), and Master Teacher V (SG 22).
For those pursuing administrative roles, the career path will feature streamlined positions: School Principal I, School Principal II, School Principal III, and School Principal IV.
A significant aspect of this reform is the flexibility it offers teachers.
Those who qualify for Master Teacher I can choose between remaining in classroom teaching or moving into school administration.
This option ensures that highly skilled teachers can aspire to leadership roles, thereby enhancing the quality of school management.
The DepEd, in collaboration with the DBM, will also reinforce reclassification processes.
This will allow teachers to progress based on merit and competence rather than waiting for teaching positions to become available.
Likewise, the DepEd will work closely with the CSC and PRC to standardize qualifications for teaching positions across all levels of basic education, including Senior High School.
This alignment aims to create a more cohesive and fair system for teacher advancement.
With these reforms, public school teachers can look forward to a more rewarding career trajectory, ensuring their professional growth and improving the overall quality of education in the Philippines.
The Inter-Agency Committee Members are CSC Commissioner Acosta PRC Chairperson Zamora, DBM Secretary Pangandaman, Rep. Romulo, and DepEd Secretary Angara.
Also present were DepEd Central Bureau Directors and Regional Directors, and former DepEd officials who are members of the National Technical Working Group (NTWG), associations of teachers, associations of principals, and other stakeholders.
