IN ORDER to improve the quality of basic education and the learning outcomes of students, Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for a program that will produce the best teachers for the public school system in the country

The dismal rankings of the Philippines in various international assessments on basic education such as the Programme for International Student Assessment, Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics, and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study revealed a learning crisis in the country in spite of the reforms introduced in the country’s education system over the years.

The results could be attributed to several factors such as individual and household, school inputs such as curriculum, learning environment and community support, and the quality of teachers and the competence to teach our learners.

“The quality of education is closely linked to the competency of the teachers. If we want to produce the best students then we should start by providing them with the best teachers,” Angara said.

Last July, Angara filed Senate Bill 2312 that seeks to establish a Teacher Education for Achievers Program or TEACH to ensure that future educators are classroom-ready and contributors to improve learning outcomes.

The program seeks to attract the brightest future teachers by providing them with incentives such as full scholarships and a guaranteed job upon graduation.

“Apart from the grant of incentives, the TEACH program will also guarantee that our future teachers will receive the best education and training from our partner Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs),” Angara said.

The TEACH program offers two tracks: a certificate in teaching program track for graduates of any bachelor’s degree other than education, and an undergraduate level track for incoming third year college students.

Grantees may choose from any of the following degrees: early childhood education; special education; elementary education; secondary education; chemistry, mathematics, physics, and biology for teachers; a certificate in teaching program or its equivalent; and similar degrees as may be approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).

In order to qualify for TEACH program, the applicants must pass the selection process, the aptitude test for teachers and the appropriate examination and assessment by the TEI.

They must have at least an 85% general weighted average or its equivalent in the degree that he or she is currently enrolled in or graduated from.

Qualified applicants will be eligible to receive full tuition; books, supplies, equipment, clothing, and transportation allowances.

Allowances for dormitory or boarding house accommodation and relocation are also available under the TEACH program.

They will also receive annual medical and accident insurance and related health reimbursements, monthly living allowance, and professional teachers board review and licensure fees.

In exchange for their scholarships, the graduates of the program will be required to teach full time in the public primary or secondary education system for at least one year for each year of scholarship.

Graduates of the TEACH program will be eligible for immediate hiring, subject to passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers within five years after their date of hiring.

“We want to produce more quality teachers in our public school system in order to address the deficiencies found in our primary school students so that they will have better opportunities available to them later on in life,” Angara said.

Angara is also co-author of Senate Bill 2152 or the Teacher Education Excellence Act, which aims to strengthen teacher education in the country by establishing centers of excellence and a Teacher Education Council.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Win Gatchalian, is already in its advanced stages in plenary and is set to be approved on second reading.