Senate approves scholarship for teachers

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate committee on finance has approved Senator Edgardo Angara’s proposal for scholarships for teacher educators belonging to all normal schools and universities, collectively known as 3Ns or the National Network of Normal Schools in the Philippines.

The group was convened by the Philippine Normal University (PNU) being the National Center for Teacher Education in the Philippines. It is composed of the state universities Mariano Marcos, West Visayas, Bukidnon, Palawan, Bicol, Western Mindanao, and Pangasinan, and the Normal Universities of Leyte and Cebu.

“This is a huge development in terms of improving the quality of education in the country. We should continuously strive to improve the competency of our talented educators who will implement our curricular reforms,” said Angara, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, as well as vice chair of the committee on finance.

In his proposal, Angara emphasized that increasing support for teacher educators and trainors is critical in the implementation of the K-to-12 reform of basic education, and the necessity to benchmark with international standards for teaching excellence.

The members of the said group have earlier committed to proactively work with the Department of Education (DepEd) in providing training and workshops to teachers for the coming transition to K-to-12 by 2016.

“Through this partnership with the 3Ns, we will adequately prepare Filipino teachers for the challenges of 21st century learning and allow them to be on a par with the best teachers in the world,” said Angara, a former UP president.

While this proposal has passed the Senate committee, it will still require the support and approval of President Benigno Aquino III. If approved, the funding, through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), will enhance the access of teacher educators from the Normal Schools and Universities to postgraduate studies.

“I hope the Aquino administration finds equal merit in this partnership, and sustains it in the coming years,” said Angara.