TO ATTRACT the best and brightest students to the teaching profession, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has committed to exploring additional funding sources for the rollout of teacher education scholarships.

Although the Teacher Education Council (TEC) sought P202.5 million for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) under the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, the proposed allocation was not included in the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

The TESP aims to draw deserving graduates from both public and private basic education schools, as well as tertiary-level students.

TEC Executive Director Dr. Jennie Jocson shared that the Council is also considering alternative funding options, such as private donations and utilizing available resources from Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) that already offer scholarships.

Gatchalian has proposed tapping into the P20.7 billion allocated for the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

“We can tap into the UniFAST fund. It’s a worthwhile endeavor, and I think it’s important to attract the best and the brightest to become future teachers. We’ll work with the Commission on Higher Education to carve out a small portion for the TESP,” Gatchalian said.

Under the law, scholars in the TESP must pursue undergraduate teacher education programs at Teacher Education Centers of Excellence. These centers are recognized for their excellence in teaching, faculty qualifications, research, extension services, linkages, and the ability to produce top-caliber graduates.

The Excellence in Teacher Education Act, authored and sponsored by Gatchalian, strengthens the TEC to improve coordination between the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Professional Regulation Commission. This ensures coherence between pre-service and in-service education.

The law also mandates the TEC to establish a teacher education roadmap and set basic requirements for teacher education programs.