NEGROS Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez filed a bill that seeks to establish a teacher education for achievers program.

House Bill 9139 or the proposed Teacher Education for Achievers or TEACH Act of 2021 aims to provide incentives to high-achiever students who will be trained to become effective teachers.

“Quality education is the cornerstone of progress and wealth of a nation. Corollary to this is finding that the quality of the education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers,” Benitez said in his explanatory note.

The TEACH Program will provide quality pre-service teacher education to the best and brightest to ensure that future teachers are classroom-ready. They will also receive the best training, financial and psychosocial support and employment assistance.

Recipients of the program shall pursue degrees in teacher education in partner Teacher Education Institutions.

Applicants for TEACH Program should be Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines; must pass the qualifying examination system; must have at least 85 percent general weighted average; and must not have service obligations under other programs.

“The TEACH Program is a merit-based program where applicants have to pass competitive examinations, both in partner schools and in the program application,” Benitez said.

“It follows a fast-tracked model of teacher education program recruitment. It recruits career-shifters to pursue a Certificate in Teaching Program and junior-level undergraduates to complete teacher education programs,” he added.

TEACH Program grantees shall be eligible for free tuition, laboratory, miscellaneous and other school fees and allowances for books, supplies; clothing and transportation, among others.