Jiaoshi jiaoyu xuebao (Jan 2024)
Training Goals and System Construction of Excellent Teacher Education in the Philippines
Abstract
To address the national mandate to enhance learner abilities and ensure continuous learning, and to overcome the challenges of inadequate quantity and low quality of teachers, the Philippine government enacted the Excellence in Teacher Education Act in April 2022, initiating teacher education reforms. Focusing on the concept of excellent teachers, the act addresses the definition of Filipino excellence in teaching and the establishment of an excellent teacher education system. The training objectives for excellent teachers aim to cultivate individuals who embody integrity, competence, and a commitment to continuous professional growth, serving as Filipino educators and school leaders. In terms of system construction, the Teacher Excellence Education Act mandates the formation of a comprehensive triangular structure comprising decision-making, management, and execution layers. Specific measures include empowering the Teacher Education Council to oversee the entire teacher education landscape, enhancing management systems to enforce the regulatory responsibilities of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, and leveraging exemplary Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education to improve the implementation of teacher education. An analysis of the training objectives and system construction of excellent teacher education in the Philippines reveals characteristics such as modernized governance, standardized professional development, visualized growth paths, and flexible incentive mechanisms. However, challenges remain, such as the shortage of qualified teachers, a lower overall educational attainment level among teachers, and inadequate funding. Therefore, there is still a significant gap between the vision of pursuing "excellent teachers" and the current reality in the Philippines.
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