SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for sweeping reforms in teacher education, emphasizing the need to better align academic curricula, training, and licensure examinations to raise the overall quality of educators in the country.

The senator made the call during a meeting with representatives of Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) and Penny A. Bishop, dean of the Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. Their discussion centered on addressing persistent gaps in the country’s teacher preparation system.

Gatchalian pointed to uneven quality among TEIs, citing data from the Teacher Education Council showing that only 2 percent—or 35 out of roughly 1,500 institutions—have been designated as Centers of Excellence.

He also flagged concerns over the performance of aspiring teachers in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. From 2021 to 2025, passing rates averaged 50 percent for elementary education and 57 percent for secondary education.

Compounding the issue, findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education revealed that 62 percent of high school teachers are teaching subjects outside their college specializations.

To address these challenges, Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill No. 52, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7836. The proposed measure aims to strengthen standards in teacher education and ensure closer alignment between academic preparation and licensure requirements.

“If we get teacher preparation right, we do not just improve our schools—we also uplift the future of every learner that passes through them,” Gatchalian said.

He stressed that reforming teacher education is key to improving learning outcomes nationwide, underscoring the central role teachers play in shaping the country’s future workforce.