Competent and skilled teachers are essential in building the nation to provide quality education. Teachers’ primary role is to produce holistic learners with 21st-century skills and values to support the country’s development. That’s why the Department of Education (DepEd) developed the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST).
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Through the PPST, DepEd and the Philippine government stipulate the professional standards and qualities teachers should possess to guarantee they can effectively educate the new generation. It is created due to the national and global changes in the education system, boosting the quality of learning and student achievement.
What is Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers
The Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) is a public statement regarding the knowledge, values, and competency teachers should apply in their practice. According to DepEd Order (DO) 42, series (s.) 2017, the statement enclosed in PPST should be utilized as the basis for all learning and development programs, ensuring teachers can properly administer the K to 12 programs. Teachers’ performance evaluation, selection, and promotion should also conform with PPST.
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Due to the K to 12 program and ASEAN integration, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched the PPST to comply with globalization and meet the transforming characters of 21st-century learners. It will replace the (National Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS), developed with the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funds the PPST, which supports the Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ) at the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
Objectives
- Determine clear expectations for teachers and distinct career stages of professional development.
- Encourage teachers to embrace persistent efforts to obtain proficiency.
- Administer a constant measure to evaluate teacher performance, determine needs, and support professional development.
Features
PPST focuses on quality requirements for teachers in the K to 12 program, including:
- Mother tongue simply teaching and learning
- Learners in challenging conditions
- Strategies to promote literacy and numeracy
- Positive use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Strategies for effective communication in the classroom
Uses
- Endorse programs for preliminary teacher education
- Register and accredit teachers
- Raise the quality of professional learning
- Identify and recognize exceptional high-level practice
- Develop standards for leadership
- Establish a consistent assessment process linked to all PPST Career Stages
- Maintain a well-organized documentation process relevant to the Indicators that achieve Career Stages
Implementation of Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers
DepEd Order 42, series 2017
The Department of Education issued the DepEd Order (DO) 42, series (s.) 2017, which specified the “National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPS).” On August 11, 2017, DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones signed this policy to recognize the importance of professional standards for teachers, ensuring their continuous professional development and advancement anchored on lifelong learning principles.
Professional Standard
With the CHED Memorandum Order 52, series 2007, and DeEd Order (DO) 32, series (s.) 2009, the Philippine Government institutionalized the National Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) as a foundation of teacher quality. It is part of the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA) administration and expedited by considering the following learning programs:
- Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM)
- Strengthening Implementation of Visayas Education (STRIVE) project
Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP)
Teacher Quality in the Philippines
Good teachers are vital to boosting student achievement through quality learning and teaching. With that said, teachers are expected to possess the following qualities based on PPST Domains:
- Realize the significance of mastery of content knowledge and its interconnected across curriculum areas
- Provide a fair, safe, secure, and supportive learning environment to promote learner achievement and responsibility
- Create learning environments that respond to learner diversity
- Correspond with the national and local curriculum requirements
- Utilize various assessment tools and strategies to monitor, evaluate, document, and report learners’ needs, progress, and achievement.
- Establish school-community collaboration and engagement to enhance the learning environment and education process.
- Promote harmonious and professional relationships with learners, parents, schools, and the community.
- Value professional development and personal growth, and maintain qualities that support the dignity of teaching.
PPST Domains & Strands
Domain 1 – Content Knowledge and Pedagogy
- Content knowledge and its application within and across curriculum areas
- Research-based knowledge and principles of teaching and learning
- Positive use of ICT
- Strategies for promoting literacy and numeracy
- Strategies for developing critical and creative thinking, as well as other higher-order thinking skills
- Mother Tongue, Filipino, and English in teaching and learning
- Classroom communication strategies
Domain 2 – Learning Environment
- Learner safety and security
- Fair learning environment
- Management of classroom structure and activities
- Support for learner participation
- Promotion of purposive learning
- Management of learner behavior
Domain 3 – Diversity of Learners
- Learners’ gender, needs, strengths, interests and experiences
- Learners’ linguistic, cultural, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds
- Learners with disabilities, giftedness, and talents
- Learners in difficult circumstances
- Learners from Indigenous groups
Domain 4 – Curriculum and Planning
- Planning and management of the teaching and learning process
- Learning outcomes aligned with learning competencies
- Relevance and responsiveness of learning programs
- Professional collaboration to enrich teaching practice
- Teaching and learning resources and ICT
Domain 5 – Assessment and Reporting
- Design, selection, organization, and utilization of assessment strategies
- Monitoring and evaluation of learner progress and achievement
- Feedback to improve learning
- Communication of learner needs, progress, and achievement to key stakeholders
- Use of assessment data to enhance teaching and learning practices and programs
Domain 6 – Community Linkages and Professional Engagement
- Establishment of learning environments that are responsive to community contexts
- Engagement of parents and the wider school community in the educative process
- Professional ethics
- School policies and procedures
Domain 7 – Personal Growth and Professional Development
- Philosophy of teaching
- Dignity of teaching as a profession
- Professional links with colleagues
- Professional reflection and learning to improve practice
- Professional development goals
Also Read: Magna Carta for Teachers
Video: Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST): EXPLAINED | Joie’s Universe City
Watch the video below to learn more about PPST:
As discussed in the video, the Philippine Professional Standard for Teachers (PPST) specifies the requirements for quality teachers. These teachers are competent as they know how and what to teach and mingle with students. As mandated by PPST, quality teachers are globally competent and can demonstrate their skills, knowledge, disposition, and values. Thus, aspiring teachers and those in practice should conform to the PPST provisions.
Summary
Due to the various changes in the Philippine education system, it is vital to ensure that teachers possess adequate knowledge, skills, and competence to keep up with the needs of 21st-century learners. Competent teachers should also think globally and locally to administer quality teaching and learning. Therefore, the implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) is a great initiative, encouraging educators of professional development and personal growth. As a result, the government will be able to produce graduates who can help with the nation’s development.