SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized that the full implementation of the ‘Excellence in Teacher Education Act’ (Republic Act No. 11713) will help address the mismatch between teachers’ education and the subjects they are assigned to teach.

A recent report from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) revealed that 62% of high school teachers are teaching subjects outside their field of specialization, citing a shortage of teachers with subject-specific expertise as one of the main reasons for this mismatch.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee noted that during the teacher hiring process, the subjects they are expected to teach are often not specified.

In response, Gatchalian stressed the importance of fully operationalizing the Teacher Education Council (TEC) to ensure the availability of qualified teachers, which he identified as a key factor in students’ learning outcomes.

The Excellence in Teacher Education Act revamped the TEC to improve the quality of teacher education and training by strengthening collaboration among the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Professional Regulation Commission.

Under the law, the TEC is tasked with establishing a teacher education roadmap, setting basic requirements for teacher education programs, and recommending policies to attract high school students to pursue education degrees. It also aims to ensure a smooth transition from higher education to employment in the teaching profession.

“As we address the challenges in the education sector, we must ensure that our teachers receive quality education and training to shape the knowledge and character of our students. Alongside this, we must also ensure that they are teaching subjects aligned with their area of specialization,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.