MANILA, (PIA) — Senator Win Gatchalian has introduced a bill aimed at enhancing career opportunities for public school teachers by institutionalizing a Career Progression System.
The proposed measure, known as the “Career Progression System for Public School Teachers Act” (Senate Bill No. 2827), seeks to provide teachers with clearer pathways for advancement within the profession.
The bill proposes that teachers be eligible for promotions to various positions, including Master Teacher II, School Principal I, and Supervisor, across different career lines. Additionally, it empowers the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to establish new teaching titles such as Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII, and Master Teacher V.
One of the key features of the legislation is a proposed increase in the minimum salary grade for public school teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 13. Salaries for higher-ranking positions would also be adjusted accordingly. The bill aims to standardize qualification criteria for teaching roles at all levels within the public school system.
“Our public school teachers find themselves at the forefront of national development, and they should be accorded appropriate recognition by the government by ensuring their professional development and through adequate remuneration,” Gatchalian stated in the bill’s explanatory note.
Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) indicates a significant increase in the number of public school teachers, rising from 547,574 in the 2012-2013 school year to 881,477 in 2022-2023.
However, the existing career progression pathway established by Executive Order No. 500 in 1978 has not effectively facilitated career advancement for many teachers.
Currently, 92 percent of teaching personnel occupy positions ranging from Teacher I to III, while only 8 percent hold Master Teacher I to IV roles. A substantial 32 percent are in the Teacher III category, but only 5 percent have achieved Master Teacher I status, indicating a bottleneck in promotions. Among the 65,402 master teachers nationwide, merely 1 percent—or 561 individuals—hold Master Teacher III and IV positions.
In response to these challenges, Executive Order No. 174 was signed on June 23, 2022, to implement an Expanded Career Progression System for public school teachers, creating additional positions aimed at improving career advancement opportunities.
The introduction of Senate Bill No. 2827 marks a significant step toward recognizing and supporting the professional development of public school teachers in the Philippines, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the education sector. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
