1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael Romero is pushing for a measure strengthening Early Childhood Education through the mandatory inclusion of Early Childhood Education programs in universities and colleges with existing bachelor degrees in elementary education.

In his House Bill 10387, or the proposed Early Childhood Education Expansion and Enhancement Act of 2024, Romero stressed the importance of early childhood development in implementing the K to 12 curriculum and the Kindergarten Act in 2012.

The solon said early childhood educators play a crucial role in promoting child development and school readiness.

“Despite efforts to improve teacher quality in the past decade, only less than 10% receive pre-service training in subject matter and pedagogical knowledge and skills, while others are trained upon entering the teaching force,” Romero said in his explanatory note.

Romero added that it has been mentioned in the 2023 EDCOM II report on Teacher Quality that proposed reforms were implemented but the results were inconsistent with what was expected.

To help address the growing concern, the measure aims to ensure that prospective teachers of Kindergarten to third grade will carry out their responsibilities to the fullest extent possible.