More than 800 teachers and school heads from Bulacan were among the 1,991 education personnel promoted under the Expanded Career Progression System during a mass oath-taking ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the City of San Jose del Monte Sports Complex.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who presided over the ceremony, assured educators that no public school teacher in the country would retire as Teacher I.

“Inakala ninyo marahil na magre-retire kayong hindi nakakatikim na ma-promote. Hindi ako papayag na hindi masuklian ang inyong sakripisyo. Kaya gumagawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang marami pang guro ang tumaas ang posisyon, at kagaya ng aking ipinangako: walang sinuman na teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher I (You probably thought you would retire without experiencing a promotion. I will not allow your sacrifice to go unrewarded. We are taking steps to promote more teachers, and as I promised, no teacher will retire as Teacher I),” PBBM said. 

The promotions were carried out under Republic Act No. 12288, or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act. The Schools Division Offices in Bulacan recorded more than 800 promotions.

Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said the Central Luzon ceremony marked the third mass promotion for teachers this year.

“Malinaw na pagsasabuhay ito ng prayoridad ng pangulo na palakasin ang ating sistema ng edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng mas matibay na suporta sa ating mga guro (This clearly reflects the President’s priority to strengthen our education system through stronger support for our teachers),” Angara said. 

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando highlighted the province’s continued investment in teacher development, including scholarship grants for public school teachers pursuing master’s degrees in partnership with the Department of Education and Bulacan State University.