THE DEPARTMENT of Education and the Department of Budget and Management on Monday signed an agreement to establish Teacher Education Excellence Centers across the country to strengthen teacher training, research, and innovation in education.

According to DepEd, the TEECs are envisioned to serve as national research centers, innovation hubs, and laboratories for advancing teacher education.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice by developing evidence-based training models, modernizing teacher education curricula, and integrating advanced technologies into educator preparation.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving the quality of teaching nationwide.

“The establishment of Teacher Education Excellence Centers represents a strategic reform that will strengthen and elevate our teaching workforce across the country,” Angara said.

He emphasized that while improving school infrastructure remains important, the quality of instruction continues to be at the core of DepEd’s mission.

“Ito ay patunay ng ating sama-samang pagkilos upang iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa. Sa pangunguna ni President Bongbong Marcos, patuloy nating isusulong ang mga repormang magtitiyak ng mas matibay na pundasyon para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he added.

The TEECs will support a wide range of stakeholders in the education sector, including pre-service and in-service teachers, teacher educators, school leaders, and specialized groups such as child development workers, pre-service student tutors, TVET trainers, multigrade teachers, and deans of colleges of education.