Teachers in public schools can now look forward to faster and fairer promotions as the Department of Education (DepEd) officially operationalizes the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system—a reform designed to recognize merit, reduce dependence on vacancies, and provide clearer pathways for professional growth.

In celebration of National Teachers’ Month (NTM) and in line with President Marcos' call to strengthen the teaching profession, DepEd, in a statement issued on September 11, announced that it has rolled out the ECP.

“Ang Expanded Career Progression System ay handog ng pamahalaan upang suklian ang kanilang sipag at sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng mas malinaw na landas para sa kanilang career sa pagtuturo (The Expanded Career Progression System is the government’s offering to reward their hard work and sacrifices by providing a clearer path for their teaching careers),” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.

Considered a landmark reform, the ECP aims to provide public school teachers with clearer, fairer, and competency-based career pathways.

Angara clarified that the ECP addresses persistent flaws in the previous promotion system by introducing position reclassification as the main pathway for career advancement.

Through this approach, teachers can be promoted based on their qualifications and performance without having to compete directly with peers for limited slots.

“Matagal nang hinaing ng ating mga guro ang limitadong pagkakataon para umangat (Teachers have long lamented the limited opportunities for career advancement),” Angara said. “Ngayon, hindi na kailangang maghintay ng bakanteng posisyon [at] kapag natugunan ang pamantayan at naipakita ang husay, maaari nang umusad sa karera (Now, there’s no need to wait for a vacant position. Once the standards are met and excellence is demonstrated, they can move forward in their careers).”

Under DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025, the system introduces new teaching positions—Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V—and offers two distinct career tracks: Classroom Teaching and School Administration.

Most notably, the reform eliminates the long-standing requirement for teachers to wait for vacant positions before being promoted. Instead, they may advance through a reclassification process once they meet the required qualifications and demonstrate competencies.

The new system is grounded on the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) and the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH), ensuring that promotions are based on teaching quality, leadership competence, and professional growth—not just credentials.

“Layunin nating panatilihin ang pinakamagagaling na guro sa loob ng silid-aralan (Our goal is to keep the best teachers inside the classroom),” Angara said.

“Kapag mataas ang morale at motibasyon ng guro, mas mataas din ang kalidad ng edukasyon para sa mga kabataan (When teachers have high morale and motivation, the quality of education for young people also improves),” he added.

DepEd said the ECP will undergo a three-year transition from February 25, 2025, to February 24, 2028.

Among the key provisions are:

- Conversion of positions: Vacant Head Teacher and Assistant Principal items will be converted to Teacher I positions 90 days after the issuance of the order.

- Filling of vacancies: Unfilled Teacher I–III and Master Teacher I–IV posts must be filled within a year from the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

- Incumbent options: Current Head Teachers and Assistant Principals may retain their titles or be retitled to equivalent positions without losing salary or step increments. They will also be considered “on-stream candidates” for promotion to School Principal posts.

To complement the career progression reform, DepEd said it is strengthening its training initiatives through the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP).

Training will be prioritized for teachers, head teachers, and assistant principals preparing for leadership roles.

Retirable teachers within five years will also be prioritized for promotion or reclassification, DepEd added.

“Kasabay ng bagong career progression, tinutukan din natin ang professional development ng guro—mula sa mas malinaw na job descriptions hanggang sa mas madaling access sa training at mentorship (Alongside the new career progression, we also focused on the professional development of teachers—from clearer job descriptions to easier access to training and mentorship),” Angara said.

With this reform, DepEd hopes to raise teacher morale, professionalize pathways for growth, and improve the quality of Philippine education by ensuring that promotions reward competence and dedication.

“Lahat ng ito ay bahagi ng mas malawak na reporma para gawing mas kaaya-aya ang propesyon sa ating kaguruan (All of this is part of a broader reform to make the teaching profession more fulfilling for our educators),” Angara added.