I love Education

☕ When Observation Days Used to Terrify Me I’ll be honest — the first time I had a classroom observation, I almost spilled my coffee on my lesson plan. It felt like judgment day. My mind raced, my hands trembled, and my once-confident voice suddenly sounded like a shaky radio signal. The word “observation” carried so much weight that I forgot it was supposed to be about growth , not perfection . Fast forward to this school year, and here we are again — a new DepEd Memorandum (DM No. 089, s. 2025) rolling out fresh guidelines under the Multi-Year Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) for teachers from SY 2025–2026 to 2027–2028 . And guess what? This time, it’s not about anxiety — it’s about flexibility . 🌱 The New Face of Classroom Observations Under DepEd Memorandum No. 089, s. 2025 , teachers are given flexibility in conducting full-period classroom observations . If your first observation happened during the First or Second Quarter — even before this memo dr...

What makes a great teacher stay motivated year after year? For many, it’s not just the joy of teaching but also the promise of growth. The Career Progression System for Teachers in the Philippines lays out a clear path for educators to advance in rank, responsibility, and salary—something that resonates with teachers worldwide. What Is the Career Progression System? The Career Progression System was introduced under Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 to give public school teachers a structured way to move up in their careers. Instead of feeling “stuck” in one position, educators now have a roadmap that recognizes their expertise, leadership, and years of service. Here’s how it works: Teacher Levels : From Teacher I to Teacher VII, with salary grades ranging from 11 to 17. Master Teacher Levels : From Master Teacher I to IV, with salary grades 18 to 22. School Principals : From Principal I to IV, also with salary grades 19 to 22. This system also applies to teachers in Senior High Schoo...

A New Chapter for Teachers For years, many Filipino teachers have voiced concerns about the lack of opportunities for promotion. Most had to wait for vacancies or compete for a single slot, which often led to frustration. Now, there is good news: the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System , a reform designed to give teachers clearer, fairer, and competency-based career growth. What is the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System? Under DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2025 , the ECP System was introduced as part of the government’s efforts to uplift the teaching profession. New Positions and Career Tracks Teacher IV to Teacher VII Master Teacher I to Master Teacher V Two pathways: Classroom Teaching Track and School Administration Track What Changed? No more waiting for vacancies. Once you meet the standards, you may be promoted. Competency-based promotions. Progress is based on skills, teaching quality, and leadershi...

📍 From Top-Down to Ground-Up: A Fresh Take on Local Literacy Governance In a country where education is often centralized, a major shift is happening — and it’s happening from the ground up . The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1, s. 2024 , officially pushing for the creation, reconstitution, and strengthening of Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) at the city and municipal levels . This directive breathes new life into Republic Act No. 10122 by giving communities the power to drive literacy efforts , based on local context , grassroots needs , and real data — not just centralized mandates. 🔗 Access here the official LCC manual and toolkit : https://lcc.deped.gov.ph/lcc-manuals/ 📣 Beyond Compliance: Local Literacy Councils as Community Anchors Local Literacy Councils are no longer just advisory bodies. Under this revised framework, they are functional entities respon...

In an era where learning gaps have widened due to the pandemic and systemic challenges, the Philippine government has launched a game-changing initiative: the ARAL Program . But beyond DepEd’s visible role in this academic recovery strategy , the heart of its strength lies in a quiet but powerful truth — the synergy among implementing agencies . This post looks at RULE VIII of the ARAL Program Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) from a fresh, systems-thinking perspective, underscoring how inter-agency collaboration is essential in shaping the program’s success. 🏫 DepEd as the Lead, Not the Lone Actor 🔑 While the Department of Education (DepEd) is the designated lead agency of the ARAL Program, it doesn't operate in isolation. According to the IRR of the ARAL Program, DepEd’s role is more than administrative — it is strategic and integrative . It is tasked with: Conducting annual reviews of the program to ensure relevance and responsiveness; Identifying learne...

🎯 Why the Online Profiling of ALS Providers Matters More Than Ever The Alternative Learning System (ALS) continues to serve as a vital bridge for millions of Filipinos seeking education outside the formal school system. With the implementation of Republic Act No. 11510 or the ALS Act , and DepEd Order No. 07, s. 2025 , the government now mandates a more structured and comprehensive data-gathering initiative—the Online Profiling Survey of Implementing ALS Providers . This move, led by the Bureau of Alternative Education – Policy and Quality Assurance Division (BAE-PQAD) , aims to establish an accurate national database that reflects the capacity, reach, and needs of ALS providers across the country. This isn’t just about compliance—this is about crafting a more inclusive, data-informed education strategy . 🧩 Unpacking the Purpose: Why This Online Survey is Critical According to the BAE , the profiling survey is designed to collect: Verified information on ALS program type...

📚 A New Interpretation of the 8-Hour Workday for Teachers The long-debated issue of teachers' working hours was revisited in CSC Resolution No. 080096 , a landmark ruling that sought to balance the spirit of Republic Act No. 4670 , also known as the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers , with the broader labor standards established under RA 1880 . Unlike previous discussions that merely reiterated teachers are not exempt from the 8-hour workday , this resolution took a more holistic and teacher-centered approach , highlighting the complexity and emotional labor involved in the teaching profession. It acknowledged the duality of teachers’ duties: six hours for actual classroom teaching , and two hours for tasks that extend beyond the blackboard —often invisible but undeniably essential. 🧾 Legal Tensions: RA 4670 vs. RA 1880 CSC Resolution 080096 emerged from a formal request by then DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus who sought clarification on the apparent contradiction b...

The Department of Education (DepEd) under Secretary Sonny Angara is now pushing for stronger intervention programs to address the alarming decline in functional literacy among Filipino senior high school graduates . Recent data has painted a concerning picture of the state of education and reading comprehension in the Philippines, prompting calls for urgent reforms. 📊 What Is Functional Literacy & Why It Matters Functional literacy goes beyond just the ability to read and write—it measures a person's ability to apply reading, writing, and numeracy skills in real-life situations. This is crucial in: Understanding instructions in daily tasks Engaging in the workforce Accessing government services Following health protocols Participating in civic life Without this, individuals are more vulnerable to: Poverty Unemployment Misinformation Limited opportunities 🧠 Shocking Statistics from the 2024 FLEMMS Report The 2024 Functional Literacy...