SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian batted for the institutionalization of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, the Department of Education’s professional development arm to better improve the quality of teacher education and training in the country.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 1887 or the Teacher Education Council Act, which seeks to strengthen the collaboration between the DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Professional Regulation Commission in improving the quality of teacher education and training from pre-service to in-service.

Under the measure, the NEAP will guarantee that professional development activities are at par with the 21st century learning environment and linked with the career progression of teachers and school leaders.

Gatchalian said that institutionalizing the NEAP will be part of long-term efforts to make the basic education sector more robust, inclusive, and resilient.

The transformation of NEAP is also part of DepEd’s initiatives on upskilling and reskilling teachers, one of the pillars of the national reform plan Sulong Edukalidad, which shifts focus from access to quality in education.

“Ang ating pagpapatibay sa National Educators Academy of the Philippines ay isa sa ating mga panukalang hakbang upang matiyak na tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagbibigay ng dekalidad na pagsasanay sa ating mga guro at school leaders upang maiangat ang kanilang mga kakayahan nang sa gayon ay maiangat din natin ang kakayahan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said.