SENATE Committee on Basic Education chair Sherwin Gatchalian has formally sponsored Senate Bill No. 3000, or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which seeks to institutionalize a structured, merit-based promotion system in the public education sector.

Gatchalian emphasized that the bill aims to empower educators and school leaders by fulfilling the constitutional mandate to promote professional growth and ensure dignified compensation.

Citing alarming statistics, Gatchalian noted that 92% of public school teachers remain at the entry-level ranks of Teacher I to III. Only 6% have reached Master Teacher I, and a mere 1% have advanced to Master Teacher III or IV.

He attributed these figures to a promotion system that has failed to evolve alongside the education sector.

Despite Executive Orders No. 500 and 174, which introduced career progression reforms, the system remains hampered by systemic barriers.

“Our teachers wait years—even decades—for a promotion that may never come—not because of a lack of skill or dedication, but because the system itself is broken,” he said.

Gatchalian noted that the bill was developed in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Civil Service Commission, the Teacher Education Council, and the Professional Regulation Commission.

“For decades, our teachers and school leaders have waited—for promotions, for just pay, for recognition,” he concluded.

“With this measure, we are delivering long-overdue justice. It’s time they feel the true value and appreciation they have long earned,” he added.