Zubiri pushes creation of Center for Teachers Excellence

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has proposed the creation of a Center for Teachers Excellence in light of recommendations to adopt a 12-year basic education cycle in the country to conform to global standards.

Zubiri said the proposed Center for Teachers Excellence will provide a continuing program for teachers to regularly upgrade their teaching skills and competence in compliance with the criteria set forth by the Department of Education (DepEd).

He said the continuing decline in the quality of education over the years could be due to government's failure to address the plight of local teachers.

He stressed that as the education department looks into the possibility of adopting a new basic education phase for Filipino students, a similar concern should be given to teachers to ensure that their teaching skills and competence are at par with international standards.

"These days, only a few of the newly graduates (teachers) would want to enter the teaching profession. The once bright and promising career of the teachers has suddenly become a job that must be evaded," Zubiri lamented.

He said among the issues that government has to take into serious consideration to make the teaching profession in the country competitive, include the low monthly pay scale of teachers, lack of security of tenure, and small chance, if any at all, for growth and improvement in the profession.

"The lack of training opportunities discourages potential teachers from joining the teaching profession," he added.

Senate Bill No. 1449 or an "Act establishing a Center for Teacher's Excellence all throughout the country and appropriating funds therefore," proposes that a Center be set up in all legislative districts nationwide.

SB 1449 also proposes that the DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) take the lead in the creation, operation and maintenance of the Centers, 90 days after this is enacted into law.

The budgetary requirement for the effective implementation of the proposed measure will be charged to the National Treasury, while the amount necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Center for Teachers Excellence will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.