MANILA Teachers Partylist Rep. Virgilio Lacson sought the institutionalization of scholarship grants for public school teachers seeking career advancement.

He filed House Bill 10177 or the proposed Teacher Advancement Program Act, which aims to provide free scholarship grants for Master’s Degree to teachers in entry-level plantilla positions. Teachers who enroll in the program will have to render five years of service in any public school in the country.

“Teachers are catalysts of national development. Enhancing teachers’ quality and upholding quality teaching standards must be prioritized, as it makes them more equipped in training young minds,” Lacson said.

Under the bill, public school teachers can avail of scholarship grants in any tertiary school or university offering master’s degree program.

To qualify, teachers should have been in active duty for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to the date of application for grant.

Teachers who have been charged or those proven to have committed acts of professional misconduct are not qualified.