SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking further amendments to the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7836), which governs reforms on the licensure examination for teachers.

Senate Bill No. 52 proposes expanding the membership of the Board for Professional Teachers and introducing separate examinations for special needs and early childhood education, in addition to those for elementary and secondary levels.

The bill also authorizes the Professional Regulation Commission, in coordination with the Teacher Education Council, to determine the scope of examinations for other applicable fields of specialization and the corresponding qualifications.

Applicants who fail the licensure examination twice will be required to take a refresher course.

The proposed measure further requires applicants to submit a portfolio demonstrating their professional teaching standards for the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. The Teacher Education Council will set guidelines for preparing, assessing, and evaluating these portfolios.

“Mahalagang masigurong handa at may sapat na kakayahan at kaalaman ang ating mga guro, lalo na ngayong patuloy na nagbabago ang paraan ng pagtuturo,” said Gatchalian, Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.