THE SECOND Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has emphasized the need to align the specializations required in public schools with those offered by colleges and universities. This alignment falls under the responsibility of the Commission on Higher Education.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee pointed out that 62 percent of teachers are currently handling subjects outside their college majors.

In an August 29 House Basic Education Committee hearing, EDCOM 2 revealed that 98 percent of Physical Sciences teachers, specifically in Physics, lacked the appropriate background. Additionally, 51 percent of Science teachers did not specialize in the subjects they are teaching.

These findings echo a 2016 World Bank report that highlighted the low content knowledge of high school teachers. English and Math teachers in Grade 10 scored below 50 percent, while teachers of Filipino and Science scored below 30 percent in those subjects.

In response, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara outlined the department’s plan to modify its hiring forms to specify the subjects prospective teachers will be assigned to.

Previously, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo noted that the subject-teacher mismatch stems from the generic nature of the Department of Education’s hiring form, which lists only the position of “Teacher 1” without specifying subject assignments.

“When you hire, your posting says ‘Teacher 1.’ It doesn’t specify the subject. That’s why a History major applies, but upon arrival, you ask them to teach Filipino,” Romulo remarked.

“We will change that,” Angara responded.

“So, you’ll modify the form? That way, teachers will know the subject they’ll be teaching. That’s correct,” Romulo agreed.