Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for issuing an executive order that encourages public school teachers to advance in their careers by establishing new position titles with associated salary grades.

EO 174, which establishes the expanded career progression system for public school teachers, seeks to “promote professional development and career advancements among public school teachers, and define the career lines of teachers within the public school system.”

Go noted that in order to increase chances for professional development and career advancement for public school teachers, their career progression system has to be enhanced further.

“As the nation confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and the educational system adjusts to the new normal, our teachers’ crucial responsibility in guaranteeing the ongoing delivery of learning has become even more difficult,” Go said.

“Nararapat lamang po na maglatag tayo ng mga polisiya na layuning suportahan ang kanilang propesyon at magbibigay sa kanila ng oportunidad upang mas pagbutihin ang kanilang papel bilang tagahubog ng kaisipan ng ating mga kabataan,” he added.

The senator went on to remark that the EO will help the teachers to continue giving students high-quality education.

The Department of Budget and Management is directed by the EO to create the additional position titles of Teacher 4, 5, 6 and 7, as well as Master Teacher 5. Likewise, School Principal 1, 2, 3 and 4 are added to the career line of school administrators.

The Civil Service Commission’s minimal requirements and qualifications must be met in order to advance to the Master Teacher I and School Principal I posts.

The Department of Education stated that it is “jubilant” about the timely issuance of the EO. In March, it sought to have new teaching levels to expand promotional opportunities for teachers.

The education department said that some teachers are stuck at the Teacher III level since the Master Teacher I position requires a high level of requirements.

Go has long been advocating for the welfare of the country’s teachers. The senator has previously urged the national government to provide additional support for public school teachers, citing the hardships they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go mentioned the difficulties that teachers are having with the blended learning approach that is being implemented while face-to-face classes are still limited.

Go also co-authored the bill which became Republic Act 11510 which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and improves the delivery of basic education to the underserved and disadvantaged. The law provides the support lacking for typically underrepresented students, such as indigenous students, students from less privileged backgrounds, and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Go was also instrumental as an author and co-sponsor in the enactment of RA 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5, which gives civilian government employees, including public school teachers, salary increases broken down in tranches.

He also filed Senate Bill No. 396 in 2019 to expand the purposes and application of the Special Education Fund which he proposed to be used for the operation and maintenance of public schools; payment of salaries, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; competency trainings for teaching personnel; operation of Alternative Learning System, including payment of salaries, allowances and other benefits of ALS facilitators; educational research; and teaching aids and other instructional materials, among others.

“Patuloy tayong maghahanap ng paraan na mabigyan ng suporta ang ating educational sector upang hindi matigil ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataang Pilipino,” Go said in his previous statements.

“Kung gusto nating umunlad, dapat bigyan natin ng malaking importansya ang kapakanan ng mga guro para maisaayos ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan, lalo na sa literacy at numeracy,” he added.