SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian reaffirmed his commitment to ensure quality education for aspiring teachers as he joined the celebration of World Teachers’ Day on Wednesday.

Gatchalian said that upholding quality teacher education and training entails the proper implementation of the landmark Excellence in Teacher Education Act or Republic Act 11713, which he authored and sponsored during the 18th Congress. It was signed into law last April.

The law seeks to improve the quality of teacher education and training in the country by strengthening the Teacher Education Council.

“Upang matiyak natin ang dekalidad na edukasyon para sa ating mga mag-aaral, kailangang iangat din natin ang kalidad ng pagsasanay at edukasyon na natatanggap ng mga guro, lalo na’t sila ang nagpapasa ng kaalaman sa ating mga mag-aaral,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.

“Ako ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa serbisyong ibinibigay ng ating mga guro para tiyakin ang magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan. Nais ko ring bigyang pugay ang kanilang sakripisyo upang tiyaking magpapatuloy ang edukasyon kahit na dinanas natin ang pandemya ng Covid19,” he added.

The revamped TEC will strengthen coordination between the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Professional Regulation Commission.

Under the law, the TEC will set and mandate basic requirements for teacher education programs, which the CHED will implement.

For his work on the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, Gatchalian received the Gawad Sulo for Public Service, the highest award given by the Philippine National University to outstanding individuals, groups, organizations, or institutions with significant contributions to the development of education, particularly teacher education.