The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, June 12, clarified the status and procedures taken in the Teacher Education Council (TEC) appointment process, in response to concerns expressed by an advocacy group regarding alleged delays.
In a statement, DepEd said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte had spearheaded multiple meetings of the TEC, focusing on the creation, selection process, and appointment of qualified individuals for the Council Secretariat.
DepEd added that the discussions extended beyond routine council meetings, involving technical sessions with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to finalize the organizational structure and staffing pattern (OSSP) of the TEC Secretariat.
As a result of the deliberations, the department submitted the proposed OSSP to the DBM on March 25 and subsequently approved it on May 21.
On 11 June, DepEd received the physical copy of the Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action through the Office of the Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development.
“Contrary to the baseless insinuations made by a certain ‘advocacy group,’ DepEd understands the importance of these appointments for the TEC's functionality and the broader goal of enhancing teacher education and training, in as much as we also understand the need to abide by the proper processes in relation to the creation of new plantilla items in government,” it said.
DepEd assured education stakeholders that the appointment process would be completed “in due course” and strict accordance with existing rules.
Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Executive Director Justine Raagas on Tuesday, June 11, said the country cannot afford any more delay in the appointment process.
Given the education crisis, PBEd urged Duterte, as the chairperson of the TEC, to immediately appoint an executive director and other officials to benefit aspiring teachers.