The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Wednesday, November 12, issued a joint advisory establishing an Online National Registry (ONR) of teacher education programs.

The advisory, signed by CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, and PRC Chairperson Charito A. Zamora, aims to reinforce their joint mandate to combat diploma mills and protect students, teachers, and employers from fraudulent academic credentials.

The joint advisory follows reports of questionable graduate programs and findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) hearings, which underscored gaps in quality assurance across teacher education institutions.

The three agencies reaffirmed their joint authority over teacher education programs in both public and private higher education institutions (HEIs).

They emphasized that all programs must secure the appropriate Certificates of Program Compliance (COPCs) or Government Recognitions (GRs) from CHED, consistent with national laws, including Republic Acts 7722, 7160, and 8292.

“The aim of this Joint Advisory is to properly guide and caution students, parents, teachers, and employers against fraudulent academic institutions,” the agencies said in a statement.

CHED, DepEd, and PRC will jointly conduct a comprehensive quality assurance review of all undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs from December 2025 to March 2028.

The evaluation will be based on calibrated standards developed with the Teacher Education Council (TEC) to ensure that institutions maintain compliance with national benchmarks.

Findings from these reviews will be shared with the PRC and DepEd for corresponding actions — including implications for the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) and teacher promotion processes under DepEd Order No. 24, s. 2025.

Under the advisory, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) fall under CHED’s authority for the issuance of COPCs and the conduct of quality assurance activities.

For private HEIs — including extension classes, distance learning programs, and branch campuses — they must secure Government Recognition from CHED before offering any program.

Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) must likewise obtain CHED authorization and undergo periodic evaluations to maintain compliance with national standards.

CHED said it will continue to honor valid permits and recognitions issued in good faith, unless revoked for cause, to ensure continuity and protect students already enrolled in affected programs.

As part of the new policy, CHED, DepEd, and PRC will jointly launch an Online National Registry of Teacher Education Programs, which will be publicly accessible through their official websites.

The registry will include information on the status and validity of institutional recognitions; accredited undergraduate and graduate programs; Centers of Excellence (if applicable); and BLEPT performance data, including total takers and passing rates.

The agencies warned that degrees from unrecognized programs or institutions will be deemed invalid and will not be acknowledged for academic, legal, or professional purposes.

Students, parents, and employers are urged to verify the legitimacy of teacher education programs directly through CHED’s official channels to avoid fraudulent credentials.

The joint initiative aligns with ongoing national reforms to elevate teacher quality and strengthen accountability in higher education institutions offering education degrees.

The agencies reaffirmed their shared goal of ensuring that all Filipino teachers are trained under legitimate, high-quality, and properly regulated programs, in line with the country’s education reform agenda and the government’s broader “Bagong Pilipinas” thrust for integrity and excellence in public service.

“All HEIs, students, parents, and the general public are enjoined to be strictly guided by this advisory,” the agencies said.