Whether private or public, school heads capable of managing, supervising, and developing school personnel are vital in educational institutions since principals play a critical role in building shared expectations, commitment, and unity within the school. With that said, the Department of Education (DepEd) created the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH).
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This examination will assess aspiring Principals to ensure the appointed school leaders are qualified and meet all the expectations and responsibilities the position entails. NQESH consists of various domains to guarantee a just and reliable selection process for the Principal and Assistant Principal positions who will lead public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines.
What is NQESH DepEd
Also known as the Principal’s Test, NQESH stands for the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH). As per DepEd Memorandum (DM) 13, series (s.)2024, NQESH is one of the requirements for appointment and reclassification of all applications aspiring to hold a position as Principals and Assistant Principals in all public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines. This memorandum is also in agreement with the following issuances:
- DepEd Order (DO) 97, s. 2011 – Revised Guidelines on the Allocation and Reclassification of School Head Positions
- DO 41, s. 2016 – Additional Guidelines to DepEd Order 19, s. 2016, titled “Guidelines on the Organizational Structure and Staffing Patterns of Stand-alone and Integrated Public Senior High Schools (SHS)”
- DO 007, s. 2023 – Guidelines on Recruitment, Selection, and Appointment in the Department of Education
- DepEd Memorandum (DM) 25, s. 2023 – Amendment to DM 100, s. 2022 (Results of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Qualifying Examination for School Heads) and Clarification on the Use of NQESH or Principal’s Test Results in Relation to DO 007, s. 2023 (Guidelines on Recruitment, Selection, and Appointment in the Department of Education)
Administration of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Qualifying Examination for School Heads
Schedule of Activities
Considering the issuances stated above, DepEd, through the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development (BHROD), should administer and supervise the 2023 NQESH. The examination must be conducted nationwide simultaneously on May 26, 2024, via a safe and protected online platform at the chosen examination site. Here is the following schedule of activities before administering the test:
- March 6-15, 2024 – Online Application
- March 6-22, 2024 – Evaluation and Validation of Documents
- March 27, 2024 – Release of the Final List of Examinees and Examination Sites via a Regional Memorandum
- May 5, 2024 – First Mock Examination
- May 19, 2024 – Second (final) Mock Examination
Note: Performing a Mock Examination is essential to prepare and check all devices of examinees. It also helps examinees become familiar with the online platform and process of taking the NQESH test.
How to apply using the NQESH Online Application System
Qualifications
Despite their current positions, individuals aiming to become school heads are eligible to take the NQESH test. However, aspiring applicants must meet the following qualification requirements and have obtained any required experience as of February 29, 2023, as per DO 39, s. 2007, and DO 41, s. 2016:
- One year as Head Teacher
- Two Years as Master Teacher
- Two Years as Teacher-in-Charge (TIC)
- Teaching experience for five (5) years as follows:
- Teacher III or other teacher positions with the same salary grade
- Incumbent public school teachers with managerial and supervisory experience in a recognized institution or Commission on Higher Education (CHED) acknowledge higher education institutions.
5. Aggregate experience as Head Teacher, TIC, Master Teacher, and Teacher III
Requirements
Before applying to the NQESH Online Application System (NQESH-OAS), aspiring applicants must provide, scan, and save in PDF format the following documentary requirements:
- Original copies of the approved Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) Individual Performance Commitment and Rating Form (IPCRF) with at least a Very Satisfactory (VS) rating in the last two (2) consecutive rating periods duly certified by the authorized personnel in SDO
- Office Performance Commitment and Rating Form (OPCRF) required for Teachers-In-Charge (TICs) and Head Teachers (HTs)
- Service Record duly certified by the Administrative Officer V of the Schools Division Office
- Designation or Special Order as School Head or TIC/OIC of a public elementary or secondary school duly signed by the Schools Division Superintendent (if applicable)
- Certification of managerial and administrative experience from DepEd-recognized private institutions or CHED-recognized higher education institutions (if applicable).
Once complete, the applicant may visit the NQESH-OAS via this link. Create an account and apply online.
Final List of Examinees
As per DM 13, s. 2024, 22,000 examinee slots should be allocated and distributed nationwide in every region. DepEd Regional Offices (ROs) should also refer to the following order of priority in selecting the final list of examinees:
a. Head Teacher for at least one (1) year in a public elementary or secondary school
b. Assistant School Principal without NQESH eligibility
c. Incumbent Officer-in-Charge (OIC)/TIC for at least two (2) years, or
d. Master Teacher for at least two (2) years
The applications of remaining eligible applicants are considered given there are still available slots after following the order of priority above. On the other hand, Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 NQESH Takers who fall under Category B are no longer qualified to take the examination. Instead, they should proceed to the National Education Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) for the assessment and certification process.
Meanwhile, FY 2021 NQESH Takers who fall under Category C are not allowed to take the examination this year. They are also encouraged to undertake a professional development intervention. In the next stage of the selection process for the Principal I position, aspiring applicants’ qualifications are based on an order of merit, measuring on the same scale the difficulty and ability of the candidate.
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Examination Coverage
Based on DO 24, s. 2020, known as the National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads using the SOLO taxonomy (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome), the NQESH test should cover conceptual and situational critical thinking questions conforming with the standards imposed by the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH). This framework will serve as a mechanism to protect and measure the quality and competency of aspiring applicants who will lead DepEd schools.
Video: HOW TO ACE THE PRINCIPALS’ TEST/ NQESH? PREPARATION AND INSPIRATION FOR THE EXAMINATION
Watch the video below to learn more about the NQESH Reviewer of DepEd:
As discussed in the video, NQESH requires preparation for aspiring school leaders applying for Principal and Assistant Principal positions. There are NQESH reviewers online since the test involves different domains, measuring the applicant’s professional and personal attributes. Thus, eligible applicants should allocate time to prepare for the NQESH test.
Summary
Aspiring applicants who dream of becoming Principal and Assistant Principals in DepEd schools should earnestly prepare for the NQESH test. This test will measure applicants’ leadership and instructional abilities. NQESH will also gauge applicants’ human resource management, professional development, school management, and operations. Additionally, the test will assess applicants’ personal and professional attributes, including their interpersonal effectiveness. Therefore, NQESH Takers must prepare beforehand before undergoing the examination.