In a significant move to enhance the career development of public school teachers and administrators, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Education Secretary Sonny Angara have formalized a joint memorandum circular. The signing took place during the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Human Resource and Organizational Development (HROD) Convention 2025 in Pasay City on February 19, 2025. This new policy aims to revise the position classification and compensation framework, thereby improving career progression opportunities within the public basic education system.
Secretary Pangandaman emphasized the government’s commitment to bolstering the education sector through investments in human resource development. She described the initiative as a pivotal step towards empowering educators, enhancing their professional growth, and contributing to the development of a more skilled and prosperous Philippines. The joint circular is built upon Executive Order 174, which introduced an expanded career progression system for public school teachers, including new positions from Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V.
The order also outlines new reclassification guidelines for various teaching roles, including those in senior high schools and for school principals. Additionally, it revises the staffing parameters for Master Teachers and School Principals, as outlined in the 1997 Organization and Staffing Standards for DECS Schools Division, Elementary, and Secondary Schools.
The HROD Convention 2025, themed “All Hands on Deck: Steering Workforce, Driving Transformation,” served as a platform for HROD leaders and champions across the nation to collaborate, innovate, and drive educational transformation. Pangandaman highlighted that the insights and strategies discussed at the convention would directly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of educators, ultimately improving student learning outcomes and the overall quality of the education system.
Education Secretary Angara praised Pangandaman’s crucial role in the transformation of the education sector, noting her dedication to turning plans into actionable reforms that benefit the educational workforce. He expressed his commitment to continue working closely with Pangandaman to implement these vital changes.