■ Mickaila Arcala
Education is the foundation of a progressing nation and at the heart of education lies the teacher who shapes young minds. Acknowledging the significant role of teachers in molding students to become better citizens of our nation, the Philippine government established the Teacher Education Council (TEC) to ensure that teachers are competent, well-trained, and guided by high professional standards.
When did it start?
▸ In 1994, the Teacher Education council was created through Republic Act No. 7784. With the recommendations of the first congressional Commission on Education in its 1991 report entitled, “Making Education Work: An agenda for reform. The stated report shows the need to improve the quality of teacher education as one of the key steps to raise the standards of Philippine Education. This serves as a wake-up call for the education sector as it reveals a serious decline in the quality of learning in the Philippines. It stressed that the quality of education depends largely on the quality of teachers, and thus, reforming teacher education should be a top priority.
Later on, in 2022, the Council was further strengthened through RA. 11713, also known as the Excellence in Teacher Education Act. This law expanded TEC’s powers and responsibilities to ensure that every Filipino teacher is equipped not only with the knowledge but also with the skills and values needed to meet the demand of modern education.
What do they do?
▸ The Teacher Education Council (TEC) is responsible for setting and monitoring policies and standards to maintain high-quality teacher education nationwide. It ensures quality through the recognition of Centers of Excellence (COEs) that model innovation and effective teaching practices. It also implements the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) to encourage aspiring educators, supports continuous professional development through training and seminars, and promotes research-based innovations to enhance teaching methods and modernize teacher preparation. TEC leads efforts to enhance teacher training from pre-service education to in-service development by working closely with DepEd, CHED, PRC and TESDA to align teacher preparation with national education goals.
Why it matters?
▸ Teachers are the heart of education. In this modern-day education, no matter how advanced the facilities and curriculum, learning still depends on how competent and well-trained our educators are. Through the programs and policies, the teacher education council bridges the gap between theory and practice. It seeks to align the teacher’s education with real classroom needs while also providing various supports and professional development throughout a teacher’s career. Thus, TEC ensures that teachers are not only academically prepared but also morally and professionally equipped in guiding learners all throughout their educational journey.
Quality education starts with quality teachers. Thus, the Teacher Education Council never stops in its unwavering commitment to set high standards, support schools, and empower teachers’ professional growth. This is to ensure that every Filipino learner is guided by skilled, passionate, and dedicated educators.
To learn more about the TEC’s initiatives and updates, visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TeacherEducationCouncil and their official website: https://tec.gov.ph/. For inquiries, you may also visit their office located at 9th Floor, The Upper Class Tower, Quezon City, Philippines, 1103 or call their landline 2863-86172.
