IN A LANDMARK move to protect students and uphold educational integrity, the country’s top education and professional regulatory bodies have joined forces to combat the proliferation of diploma mills through the creation of a single, authoritative database of legitimate academic programs nationwide.

The Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) — signed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Teacher Education Council (TEC) — establishes the Online National Registry of recognized undergraduate and graduate programs.

The JMC directly addresses findings by EDCOM II, which revealed the alarming spread of unaccredited and substandard teacher education programs across the country. Its primary goal is to ensure that only verified programs are recognized for admission to licensure exams, employment, and professional advancement.

Under the new policy, only programs listed in the Philippine Teacher Education Registry will be recognized as legitimate for licensure examinations and related purposes.

The website will also display institutional performance indicators — such as licensure exam results, Centers of Excellence status, and accreditation levels — to promote transparency and informed decision-making among students and parents.

A two-year quality assurance period, from December 2025 to March 2028, will allow CHED, PRC, and TEC to jointly validate all existing teacher education programs nationwide through a newly formed Joint Task Force.

“This is an end to ambiguity and fraud in education,” said CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis. “If a program is not on this list, it is not legitimate. This provides immediate, non-negotiable protection to students and the public.”

Agrupis added that CHED will also explore creating a Teacher Education Post-Graduate Competency Exam to ensure the quality of graduate-level programs.

PRC Chairperson Charito Zamora underscored the agency’s regulatory role:

“Our core mission is professional integrity and public welfare. The Philippine Teacher Education Registry ensures that only graduates from verified, quality programs can proceed to licensure. Special permits will also safeguard students currently enrolled in programs under validation.”

DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara highlighted the JMC’s impact on the teaching profession:

“By solidifying the quality and national recognition of teacher education degrees, we are ensuring that future educators are fully qualified for the Expanded Career Progression System for Teachers — a key investment in the quality of education for every Filipino student.”

TEC Executive Director Jennie Jocson described the initiative as a model of collaboration:

“This landmark agreement is a triumph of inter-agency cooperation. The Quality Assurance Harmonization Committee will ensure standardization and transparency to uphold the integrity of the National Registry.”