The Teacher Education Council (TEC) spearheaded the R.A. No. 11713 IRR Awareness Campaign – Luzon Cluster on 2 to 3 May 2024, at Baguio Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City, with the theme, “Educate, Collaborate, and Empower: Steering Teacher Education towards Excellence”.
This 2-day awareness campaign started with the welcome remarks and acknowledgement of participants by Dr. Felina P. Espique, the Vice President for Academic Affairs of Saint Louis University and the Zonal representative for Luzon of the Teacher Education Council. She was represented by Dr. Dorothy D. Silva, the Head of the Professional Education Department of SLU-School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts. Dr. Silva emphasized the collective mission of all Education stakeholders, that is, “to educate ourselves in the details of R.A. No. 11713 and to collaborate in fostering a culture of excellence within our educational institutions and foster collaboration and synergy among stakeholders.” Participants included DepEd Regional and Division Offices and Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) from both public and private from Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, NCR, and CAR. Also, the Local Government Units of Benguet Province and Baguio City, Professional Regulation Commission-CAR, Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) members joined the event.
Dr. Runvi V. Manguerra, TEC Executive Director II, gave a glimpse at the Journey of the R.A. No. 11713 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Years of painstaking planning, crafting, and developing of the IRR paved the way for translating legislative mandates into meaningful action. It serves as a roadmap for advancing teacher education excellence and ultimately contributes to the overall improvement of the education system.
The Salient Provisions of R.A. No. 11713 was explained by Dr. Jennie V. Jocson, TEC Language Teachers’ Representative. Dr. Jocson emphasized the role of the Centers of Excellence (COE) in TEIs in producing quality teachers, thus, the COEs will be given the priority of having teacher education scholars. In addition, she underscored the TEC’s mandate in determining the COEs in teacher education with rigorous application based on established criteria and standards.
Day 2 started with the discussion of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) Provision on the R.A. No. 11713. Teacher scholarships and trainings had been important directives of NEAP to enhance quality education. SLU Dance Troupe graced the event with a vibrant and captivating cultural performance. The highlight of the event was the pledges of commitment by the teacher education partners and stakeholders.
Indeed, Saint Louis University – School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, as the Center of Excellence in Teacher Education since 1996 is a testament of adhering to the mandate of the Teacher Education Council in providing quality education, thus, producing quality teachers who are competent, creative, socially involved, and imbued with Christian spirit.
