PBEd: Fast-track publication of Excellence in Teacher Education Act IRR

Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) appealed to education agencies to expedite the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act to further strengthen teacher education in the country.

PBEd stressed that the IRR has yet to be issued a year after the Excellence in Teacher Education Act was enacted into law. The IRR is crucial to start the review of the questions in the Board Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers and its alignment with Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) teacher education curriculum and with what Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) are actually teaching. It is also needed for budget allocation for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) for aspiring teachers.

“The publication of the IRR will help realize the benefits of the law, especially in ensuring that teacher education institutions meet the necessary standards of quality education delivery which is crucial in addressing the current learning crisis in the Philippines,” PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said.

RA 11713 was signed into law last April 27, 2022. The law seeks to improve the quality of teacher education and development in the country by expanding and strengthening the function of the Teacher Education Council, establishing scholarship programs, and institutionalizing the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines.

PBEd previously participated in the IRR’s stakeholders drafting and consultation and provided policy recommendations that will further push for collaboration between the Professional Regulation Commission, CHED and TEIs, and further operationalize the TESP.

“We value the government’s efforts in addressing the learning crisis and improving teacher education in the country through the enactment of laws, but for purposes of clear implementation, it is imperative that we have a set or written implementing rules to guide us,” Raagas stressed.