SENATOR Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian is mulling alternative pathways for professionals to become licensed teachers, a step that he believes could help improve senior high school education.

Gatchalian raised the possibility during a hearing on Senate Bill No. 2840, which aims to amend the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 (Republic Act No. 4784) and introduce alternative pathways for people to become registered as professional teachers. Under the proposed measure, applicants could qualify either by passing a licensure exam or by submitting a portfolio showing they meet professional teaching standards.

“The world is changing and specialization now is more important than ever. For example, if we introduce tech-voc into our curriculum, we need teachers who specialize in it,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

He also cited the experience of a technical college in Valenzuela that wants to offer graphic design and computer courses at the senior high school level. Finding teachers who can teach these courses, however, remains a challenge.

“Even though there are graphic designers who want to teach in senior high school, there is no way for them to do that. We really need to align our laws and policies with our goals, and right now, our goal is to strengthen senior high school,” Gatchalian added.

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Camille P. Balagtas