Salary Loan Table - RNG Coastal Bank RNG Bank offers salary loan for permanent DepEd teaching and non-teaching staff thru Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS). Features: 📍LOW INTEREST RATE 📍LOAN AMOUNT UP TO 500,000 📍5 YEARS MAXIMUM LOAN TERM 📍NO HIDDEN CHARGES 📍NO NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE A Bank that is built with trust and integrity and committed to provide quality and safe banking services to its existing and future clients, RNG Coastal Bank, Inc . is a banking institution established in the year 1974. The Bank has 15 operating branches in the Visayas, 11 in Cebu and 4 in Bohol. Providing various financial products and services to its clients for almost 50 years, RNG Coastal Bank remains strong and continuously grows its number of branches to reach more Filipinos. Here are the branches of RNG Coastal Bank: RNG Coastal Bank Head Office Cor. Cabancalan Road, Talamban, Cebu City 6000 Labangon Branch Punta Princesa, (Labangon) Cebu City Asturias Branch Poblacion, Asturias, Ce...
What does it really take to move up the ladder as a school leader? For many educators, the path to becoming a higher-ranked principal has always meant passing the school head assessment or submitting a Certificate of Rating (COR). But under new guidelines, some principals are now exempt from these requirements—making the process a little less daunting.
Who Is Exempt From the Principal’s Test?
The Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified that not all principals need to pass the Principal’s Test, NQESH, or NASH to qualify for reclassification or promotion. Here are the four key exemptions:
Appointed before the implementation of the Principal’s Test, NQESH, or NASH.
Appointed after these assessments were introduced but were not required to take them.
Appointed during the period when only regional-level DepEd assessments and School-Based Management (SBM) evaluations were needed.
Appointed based on leadership experience and proven track record.
In short, if you’ve been serving as a principal under these conditions, you don’t need to worry about retaking or submitting test results.
What Documents Are Required Instead?
Even without the test, principals must still meet the qualification standards for the position they’re aiming for. The required documents include:
A Personal Data Sheet (CS Form 212, Revised 2017)
Service Record
Performance Ratings for the last three rating periods
Omnibus Certification of authenticity and veracity of documents
Once filed with the Records Division, these documents are stored in the employee’s 201 files and don’t need to be resubmitted.
Did You Know?
The National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) was first introduced in 2006 to standardize the selection of principals.
The Philippines is one of the few countries in Asia that requires a national-level exam for school leadership positions.
DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2022 and DepEd Order No. 2, s. 2015 serve as the backbone of these updated rules.
Common Questions About the Guidelines
Q: Does this mean all principals are exempt from the test?
A: No. Only those who meet the listed conditions are exempt. New applicants still need to pass the required assessments.
Q: Can principals still take the test if they want to?
A: Yes, but it’s not necessary if they already qualify under the exemptions.
Q: Do these rules apply nationwide?
A: Yes, the guidelines apply across all regions in the Philippines.
A Personal Take
I find this update refreshing because it recognizes the value of experience and leadership track record. Not every great school leader shines through standardized tests—some prove themselves daily through years of service, mentoring teachers, and improving schools. It feels like a fair balance between honoring past contributions and maintaining professional standards.
Moving Forward
The new guidelines for school principals highlight a shift toward valuing experience alongside formal assessments. For many educators, this could mean a smoother path to promotion and recognition of their long-standing service. Do you think leadership should be measured more by exams or by proven experience? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear your perspective.