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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Crucial step: Teachers welcome DepEd's move to appoint 15,000 principals

Crucial step: Teachers welcome DepEd's move to appoint 15,000 principals

Published Feb 17, 2025 06:20 am

Recognizing it as a crucial step in addressing the long-standing shortage of school leaders and strengthening the country’s public education system, teachers welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plan to appoint 15,000 principals this year.

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(MB file photo)


The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the National Head Teachers Association of the Philippines (NaHTAP), in separate statements, welcomed DepEd’s announcement, noting that it is a “significant step” toward addressing the shortage of school leaders in public schools nationwide.

READ:  

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/12/15-000-principals-in-2025

“For years, we have been calling on DepEd to address the leadership gap in schools by appointing qualified teachers as principals, especially those who have already been assigned as school heads,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas. “This move is a recognition of their capabilities and contributions,” he added.

NaHTAP, an initiative of TDC formed in response to the imminent dissolution of Head Teacher positions under Executive Order 174 of 2022, or the Expanded Career Progression in DepEd, also commended DepEd for its “decisive action.”

“We hope this initiative will pave the way for more reforms that will strengthen our education system,” said NaHTAP President Dino Busilig.

Busilig, a head teacher from Batangas, also urged DepEd to “sustain this momentum by ensuring transparency and efficiency in the appointment process, as well as addressing other concerns related to school leadership, such as mentorship programs and additional professional development opportunities for qualified candidates.”

15,000 principals to be deployed

In an official statement issued last week, DepEd said it will initiate several key interventions this year.

The first step is deploying the existing pool of National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) passers—7,916 as of 2024—to fill vacant principal positions with qualified personnel. 

DepEd will then prioritize the reclassification of 14,761 Head Teachers (I–V) as School Principal I, while 954 Head Teachers VI and Assistant School Principal II positions will be retitled as School Principal I.

The department also emphasized that acting school heads will be prioritized as on-stream candidates to ensure a faster promotion process.

This move aligns with the Expanded Career Progression Policy, which seeks to provide more structured career advancement opportunities for teachers.

“For years, NaHTAP has championed the empowerment and promotion of head teachers, who have taken on leadership responsibilities without formal recognition,” Busilig said.

“This initiative is a victory for our advocacy and a testament to the steadfast support and engagement of our chapters in pushing for career advancement opportunities,” he added.

Moving in the right direction

TDC recognized DepEd’s initiative to appoint over 15,000 qualified teachers as school principals, emphasizing that the move prioritizes both NQESH passers and head teachers already serving in leadership roles.

The TDC welcomed the development, calling it a “step in the right direction,” especially since principal appointments will shift toward competency assessments starting in 2025.

“The exam will be decentralized to regional levels, focusing on intervention and capacity-building rather than just screening applicants,” TDC said.

TDC also acknowledged DepEd’s goal of achieving a 1:1 principal-to-school ratio through the creation of 5,870 additional Principal I positions by 2026.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/31/dep-ed-pushes-for-1-1-principal-to-school-policy

Meanwhile, Basas emphasized the need for continuous reforms to ensure fair career progression, particularly for lower-ranking teachers who have served for a considerable time, often in far-flung areas.

“While this is a welcome development, DepEd must also ensure that promotions for those holding Teacher I to Teacher III positions are accessible through a more transparent, efficient, and fair implementation of the Expanded Career Progression system,” Basas stressed.

Call for continued dialogue

NaHTAP also highlighted the importance of ensuring the smooth implementation of the policy and called for ongoing dialogue between DepEd and stakeholders to further refine career pathways for educators.

“DepEd has reached out to us and invited us to an online discussion and consultation on this matter, specifically on the implementation of the Expanded Career Progression,” Busilig said. The group anticipates a “productive and favorable outcome” from that meeting this week.

Meanwhile, TDC and NaHTAP reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for these reforms and engaging with DepEd at all levels to ensure that long-serving, qualified educators receive the recognition, promotion, and support they deserve in both classroom teaching and school leadership roles.

Last month, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), in its Year 2 report, revealed that more than half of the country’s public schools lack a principal—highlighting the urgent need for leadership appointments.

RELATED STORIES: 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/12/dep-ed-lauded-for-swift-action

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/9/24-480-schools-without-principals

Related Tags

tdc DEPED PRINCIPALS school principal teachers dignity coalition (TDC)
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