THE PHILIPPINE Business for Education lauded moves in Congress to pass measures that seek to establish a scholarship program to hone future teachers.

“We are glad that our legislators support the creation of a scholarship program for future teachers. This bill is crucial if we want to attract the best and the brightest to teach here in the Philippines.” PBEd Executive Director Love Basilllote said.

Senator Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill 2134 or the Teacher Education for Achievers Bill, which aims to provide financial support to aspiring teachers. The assistance will cover tuition and other school fees, living allowance, Board review and licensure fees, among others to develop high-achiever students as effective teachers.

Villanueva said that teachers have to be prepared academically, socially, and psychologically. To meet this objective, the TEACH Bill provides for a mentorship program where grantees will be guided by vetted and qualified mentors.

Last month, Rep. Kiko Benitez filed House Bill 9139 which has the same aim as SB 2134.

“An overwhelming majority of our students are not proficient in a number of subject areas. There is a link between our teachers’ competence and the academic achievement of our students, and it is clear that we need to work on how we recruit and train our teachers so that our students can learn properly,” Basillote said.

The PBEd expressed hope that the scholarship for future teachers will be implemented by 2022.

“We call on both houses of Congress to hear the TEACH bills immediately. Given the learning crisis, we believe that this bill should be certified as urgent,” Basillote said.