The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, September 26, assured public school teachers that the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System will provide faster and fairer promotion opportunities, addressing long-standing concerns about the slow pace of career advancement in the sector.

Backed by President Marcos’s education agenda, DepEd said the ECP allows teachers to move up in their careers without waiting for plantilla vacancies, while still maintaining merit-based promotion standards.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the reform reflects a more equitable framework.

“Ang malinaw na mensahe ng ECP: kung handa ka, may pagkakataon kang umangat. Hindi mo kailangang maghintay na may mabakanteng posisyon bago kilalanin ang iyong husay at sipag (The clear message of the ECP: if you're ready, you have the opportunity to advance. You don't need to wait for a vacant position before your competence and diligence are recognized),” Angara said.

“Teachers can progress once they meet the standards, rather than be held back by structural limits,” he added.

The ECP introduces clearer pathways through two tracks: Classroom Teaching (CT) — Teacher I–VII and Master Teacher I–V, and School Administration (SA) — School Principal I–IV.

DepEd explained that educators may shift career lines once, subject to qualifications and assessments.

Safeguards, such as the rule that reclassification cannot exceed three salary grades, remain in place to preserve balance and fairness.

Exceptions may only be granted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Teachers applying for reclassification must meet a 50-point requirement for teaching positions, while principals face no cut-off score,” DepEd said.

DepEd also clarified that focusing on one target position at a time prevents wasted effort and expenses.

DepEd clarified that teachers are not disqualified from promotion due to a single “Satisfactory” rating under the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST)-based IPCRF.

Promotion within the same career stage remains possible, but advancing to higher stages—such as from Proficient to Highly Proficient—requires “Very Satisfactory” or “Outstanding” ratings across all 37 PPST indicators, DepEd explained.

DepEd stressed that waiting periods have also been shortened.

Teachers who were promoted in the previous year may apply again within the same career stage after just one year, provided they meet qualification standards and performance requirements.

To ease the transition, DepEd assured that Head Teachers, Assistant School Principals, Special School Principals, and Assistant Special School Principals are included in the ECP system.

For the next three years, they will be prioritized for promotions and professional development.

They may also opt to be retitled to teaching or principal positions without losing salary or step increments.

Meanwhile, incumbent principals appointed before assessment tools like the Principal’s Test, NQESH, or NASH were implemented will not be required to take new exams when applying for higher-level posts.

Angara said the ECP is part of the government’s broader education reform agenda.

“Ito ay hindi dagdag pasanin, kundi dagdag pagkakataon. Ito ang ating paraan para maging mas patas at mas malinaw ang ating career system (This is not an added burden, but an added opportunity. This is our way of making the career system fairer and clearer),” Angara said.

DepEd urged teachers to support the reform, stressing that the ECP is designed to reward readiness, competence, and professional growth.

“The ECP honors the choices of teachers—whether to stay in the classroom or move into leadership—while ensuring every step up is grounded in merit and fairness,” Angara added.