THE Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2 has cemented a partnership with the Philippine Normal University as it reiterated its commitment to improving the state of teacher education in the country.

“We need to see our teachers as our collaborators in reforming our education system. The reforms that our teachers want are the reforms that we want. PNU has always been there to support massive reforms in education. Your participation and your invaluable support show how important teacher education is in our education system”, EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said.

Under the partnership, PNU will spearhead research initiatives in pre-service teacher education; specifically focusing on developing a senior high school track for education, creating a differentiated pre-service teacher education curriculum with an emphasis on experiential learning, rethinking the Certificate in Teaching Program, and conducting a comprehensive review of graduate programs. The collaboration will be conducted through PNU’s Research Institute for Teacher Quality.

EDCOM 2’s Year One Report identified significant challenges in teacher education.

One of the pressing issues highlighted in the report is that many teachers are not adequately prepared to handle the specific content and skills required in their assigned subjects, ultimately impacting the quality of education students receive in the classroom.

Early this year, EDCOM 2 highlighted the Commission on Higher Education’s amendment to Section 25 of CMO Nos. 74 to 80 and 82, series of 2017, instituting quality assurance mechanisms among TEIs and mandating that those who consistently underperform in the Licensure Examination for Teachers and failing to meet CHED’s minimum standards will be issued a notice of immediate closure.

In addition to improving pre-service education, PNU will also undertake research initiatives targeted at enhancing Teacher Education Institutions including profiling teacher educators and upskilling them to better align with the needs of the Department of Education.

Dr. Yee also voiced concerns regarding the role TEIs play in basic education: “Is our teacher education curriculum – at both the undergraduate and graduate levels – aligned and relevant to what our teachers and students need in the Department of Education?”

PNU President Dr. Bert J. Tuga committed their support in helping EDCOM 2 address key areas in teacher education and development.

“We are very happy that you partnered with us. On behalf of my colleagues, and the whole PNU, we are committed to sharing our resources and our expertise to come up with innovative solutions to the issues and problems related to our education system”, Tuga said.

“I am pretty hopeful that we can change EDCOM’s first report into a more positive view after its third year, with more evidence-based recommendations on how we can address issues related to education,” he continued.