THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill mandating a career progression system for primary, secondary, and senior high public school teachers, and defining clear guidelines for promotion of educators in the public education system.
With an overwhelming 197 votes in favor, House Bill (HB) 10270 or the “Career Progression System for Public School Teachers Act which was passed as the consolidated measure for HB 1580 authored by Tingog Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre, as well as and HB 3554 filed by then Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, now the Secretary of Finance.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez lauded the approval on final reading of the measure, saying this will provide a clear promotion system for public school teachers and recognize their competence and efforts in the profession.
“This measure is proof that we are one with the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. in advancing the welfare of all sectors of society,” Romualdez said.
Rep. Yedda Romualdez said the primary objectives of HB 10270 are to promote professional growth and enhance the welfare of public school teachers, put a premium on classroom effectiveness, and advance their status and compensation.
“We hope that once enacted into law, this measure will further motivate our public school teachers to strive for excellence in teaching the country’s next generations and reward their efforts,” she said.
The bill institutionalizes a career progression system for public school teachers and creates a clear career progression line for educators within the public school system.
It also allows incumbent head teachers to retain their positions and career progression lines under the current career progression, or otherwise apply for reclassification or retitling of their present posts to the appropriate position under the Expanded Career Progression.
HB 10270 likewise prohibits demotion in rank and/or diminution of salary, benefits, and other privileges of incumbent employees granted under existing laws.
It prescribes that teachers shall be promoted based on merit, fitness, and competence after a Comprehensive Performance Assessment and, as a consequence, natural vacancy, quota, ratio-and-proportion, and the like shall no longer be considered as a basis for promoting teachers.
Under the measure teachers who shall receive a grade of ineffective for two successive assessments are required to undergo a remedial program.
The Department of Budget and Management is also mandated to ensure the availability of funds for the promotion of teachers, which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “House OKs bill forming career progression system for public school teachers”
