Teachers are the lifeblood of fulfilling the right to education. Providing excellent teacher education is essential to elevating the quality of education in our country. The Republic Act No. 11713 (RA 11713) or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, which was signed into law early this year, codifies the ways to concretely invest in the education of our educators towards the attainment of a caliber education.

During the pandemic, the prolonged long distance learning further impacted the quality of education in the country. Certain compromises and modifications in the education sector were made due the limitations and challenges of remote learning. It is crucial to catch up and urgently address the gaps in the quality of education to ensure that learners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to access better opportunities in life. Thus, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the call of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to the next administration to prioritize the implementation of the RA 11713.

RA 11713 enhances the mandate and functions of the Teacher Education Council and seeks to level up the standards of institutions that provide teacher education. It mandates the establishment of Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (Teacher Education – COEs) in key places in each region, which will provide innovative and relevant education and training programs for incoming and current teachers. CHR is hopeful that this intensified preparation for incoming and current teachers will respond to the needs in the basic education sector.

Among the functions of the Teacher Education – COEs is also to develop and implement a national agenda for research in teacher education and serve as a resource center for curricular and instructional materials. The Commission believes that this will provide quality support and evidence-based professional development that will genuinely upgrade the quality of teachers.

The provision of scholarship for qualified basic education graduates and tertiary level students is another key feature of the RA 11713. This will help attract more young people to pursue teaching while also promoting equal opportunity to earn an education degree, especially among less privileged students.

CHR recognizes the commitment of the government to provide quality education with the enactment of the RA 11713 especially during this crucial period of recovery. We believe that the it is an opportune time for the incoming administration to jumpstart the reforms in the education sector. We are hopeful of its swift implementation to ensure good foundation for teachers who will propel forward the quality of education. ###