BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

In line with the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, the Department of Education (DepEd) is poised to strengthen its teaching workforce and improve the quality of classroom instruction with the signing of a joint policy by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) that aligns the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) with the updated teacher education curriculum.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier directed the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) to propose and support urgent solutions to licensing gaps while awaiting legislative reforms, lauded the policy as a timely intervention.

“We are aligning our systems to ensure the Licensure Examination reflects the actual competencies needed in classrooms today—whether in early childhood education, special needs education, or the many subjects taught in high schools across the country,” the President said.

Signed at Malacañang, the joint memorandum circular (JMC) introduces specialized licensure examinations for specific degree programs in teacher education. These include Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECEd), Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNEd), Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd), Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), and Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd).

The policy aims to ensure that graduates are assessed based on the competencies they developed in their chosen specialization, thus producing more classroom-ready professionals.

For DepEd, the largest employer of teachers in the country, this development is expected to have far-reaching benefits. Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who serves as Chairperson of the Teacher Education Council (TEC), emphasized the importance of linking teacher preparation, licensure, and deployment to ensure quality education in every corner of the country.

“Our schools are only as good as our teachers. They are the heart and soul of our system. It is up to us to ensure that our learners get the very best quality of teaching. With this agreement, we are taking concrete steps toward building a better quality of education for the country,” Angara said.

The policy is seen to address long-standing teacher shortages in specialized learning areas which would allow DepEd to recruit teachers whose licenses and training match the actual demands in public schools.

“This JMC has the potential of addressing drawbacks in teacher supply, particularly in early childhood education and technical-vocational education in senior high schools, as graduates will be encouraged to take these programs in our teacher education institutions,” TEC Executive Director Dr. Jennie Jocson said.

With graduates assessed through examinations tailored to their field of study, DepEd can ensure that teaching assignments better match a teacher’s expertise, a critical factor in improving instructional quality and learning outcomes across the basic education system.

The policy was crafted by TEC with support from EDCOM II, and signed by CHED Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III and PRC Chairperson Atty. Charito Zamora. PRC is expected to begin phased implementation of the new licensure tracks in the September 2025 examination cycle.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to professionalize and modernize the teaching profession, with the ultimate goal of delivering better learning experiences and outcomes for Filipino students.

*All Photos from DepEd