SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian led a Senate subcommittee hearing on proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 7836, also known as the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994, on Wednesday (19 Mar 2025).

The law mandates that aspiring teachers pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) to practice professionally.

The hearing, conducted by the Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation Subcommittee, explored alternative pathways to teacher certification in the country.

During the discussion, Gatchalian acknowledged the innovative nature of the proposed pathways, which step beyond the traditional licensure process.

“Admittedly, these pathways are quite innovative and outside the usual licensure procedure and exams used for many years, but they aim to expand licensure methodologies in our country,” he stated.

Lawmakers and education experts debated whether these alternative methods could maintain professional standards while addressing the demand for more qualified educators.

Previous hearings revealed mixed opinions from stakeholders. Some experts supported diversified licensure methods, suggesting that alternative assessments could offer a more inclusive approach to evaluating teachers’ competencies. However, others cautioned that any new method must preserve the rigor and credibility of the existing LET to protect the integrity of the profession.

A key legal concern raised in the hearing was the state’s role in regulating the teaching profession. Gatchalian highlighted that the government, through its exercise of police power, defines who can become teachers via regulatory laws.

“The regulatory law dictates who can be teachers, and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) simply implements it,” he explained.

This perspective emphasized the importance of clearly defining certification pathways within legal frameworks to ensure effective implementation by the PRC.

The discussion also addressed the broader implications of easing teacher certification requirements. Proponents of alternative pathways argued that the country’s shortage of licensed educators, particularly in remote areas, could be mitigated by expanding the certification process without sacrificing educational quality.

However, skeptics warned that any changes to teacher licensing must prioritize high standards to prevent a decline in education quality.

Before concluding, Gatchalian urged the body to carefully examine the legal aspects of the proposed pathways before moving forward with discussions in the Technical Working Group. The committee is expected to continue deliberations, considering expert recommendations and legal interpretations to determine the best way to professionalize the teaching workforce in the Philippines.