Prepared by: Adelino Zaldivia

Page 170 -175

Licensure Examination for Teachers

The establishment of the licensure examination for teachers has made teaching a
prestigious profession. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) administers the
Licensure Examination for Teachers pursuant to R.A. 7836, otherwise known as the
Philippine Teacher Professionalization Act of 1994. Anyone who would want to be registered
as a professional teacher should pass the licensure examination for the teacher. Those who
have been teaching for five years before December 16, 1994 may register as professional
teacher without taking the examination provide they possess the following qualifications on or
before the date of approval of R.A. 7836 (December 16, 1994).

A. Elementary or Secondary school teachers for five years in good standing and
holder of the requisite degree or its equivalent; or
B. Elementary or Secondary school teachers of three years in good standing and
holder of Master’s degree in education or it equivalent.

The application should be accompanied by authentic or authenticated copies of the

following documents:

1. Certificate of good standing as a teacher for the three or five years, as the case
may be issued by the principal;
2. Service record or record of employment as a teacher issued by the proper officer;
3. Transcript of records indicating therein the date of graduation with special order,
unless the special order is dispensed with accordance with the law or rules and
regulations issued by the DECS or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

(From board resolution number 95-01, November 20, 1993, of the board of
Professional Teachers (BPT), PRC.)

The professionalization of teaching started with Republic Act 4670 the Magna Carta
for Public School Teachers approved on June 18, 1996. This was followed by
Presidential Decree 1006 approved on September 22, 1976 which sought to
professionalize teachers in both public and private schools and approve a teachers’
Code of Ethics for the purpose. In 1982, Batas Pambansa 232 (Education Code of
1982)was approved and subsequently revise to cover both public and private schools
of all levels from preschool to graduate school within the purview of Batas Pambansa
232.

Compensation Package for Teachers

When one is qualified and employed a teacher, he receives a respectable salary with
those in other professions. The government made a wise decision when it upgraded the
salaries of teachers and other school personnel so that the educational system can attract
and continue to sustain the loyalty and commitment of qualified teachers or license teachers.
The salary continue to increase as the teacher renders additional years of service and/ or
gets promoted because of performance and/ or leadership.
Private institutions also offer reasonable or even more attractive incentives and salary
privileges to get the qualified teachers to stay with them.
The Code of Professional Ethics for Teachers and School Officials

The Code of Professional Ethics for Teachers and School Personnel is guide for
teachers and school personnel so that they can perform their duties with professionalism. It
contains the rights and responsibilities that go with the different interaction a teacher makes
in the execution of her work. It is to the teacher’s advantage that she/he studies the provision
in this code of Ethics. See Appendix for the code of ethics.

Becoming an Effective Teacher

The teacher is a professional who needs to adapt to varied factors that affect her
work. The conditions as well as the environment for teaching and learning continue to
change.

The teacher has to reflect on some of her attitudes to resolve her role as a teacher.

Attitude toward Teaching as a Profession

Some people want to teach because they identify with their favorite teachers and
would like to become like them. Others would want to show to their “less-liked” teachers that
they can be teachers too. Worse, if they would want to experience power, it would certainly
make a difference in the way instruction will happen.
It is ideal that the teachers really love teaching and look at it with a sense of pride and
mission. A teacher is hardworking, willing to learn, loves people, and is willing to spend time
to make things better before others. An aspiring teacher needs to be aware of her answers to
the following question:
1. How much work do I have to do?
2. How much effort do I have to invest in taking care of each learner?
3. How much control do I have to exercise?
4. How much inspiring and modelling do I have to give each learner?

A positive attitude toward makes a difficult job lighter. It makes one love teaching
he/she will also love the other things and persons that accompany the performance of
his/her task.

Attitude towards Learners/People

Teaching is an interactive process. It involves relating with another person. The

teacher leads in this interpersonal interaction. She understands the basic needs of human.
She knows that to bring out the best in a person, she needs to communicate acceptance,
respect, and trust to each learner. This is the key to making learners (the most important
human resource in the teaching-learning situation) cooperate with her. They will listen obey,
respect her authority and set standards for themselves. The positive feelings directed to them
inspire and challenge them to achieve. This is also the teacher’s achievement.
The parents are the next important human resource in a teaching-learning situation.
To carry out a meaningful interaction, the teacher should give due consideration to their
feelings. They have as much or even more concern for the learner’s progress. Utilizing this
concern can greatly add to the teacher’s resources for teaching.

Community people, school administrators, and peers are the teacher’s co-workers.
They can be supportive and ideal resources in making decisions and solving problems. In the
challenging task that each one faces, it is inspiring to hear a peer’s recognition of one’s
knowledge and dedication. The goal in this interaction is helping one another—a sense of
unity and brotherhood. Ask help when necessary and give help when you can.
 Attitude towards Change

Why are educational institutions expected to develop critical and creative thinking in
the learners?
Thinking critically about something leads to changes which are attempts at improving
present conditions and practices. Critical thinking is triggered by one’s observing and
realizing that something is wrong or that there must be other ways to do things. Exploring of
alternatives leads an individual to the creative solution of a problem or give meaning to one’s
capacity to solve problems make decisions.
Teaching is meaningful and challenging because it offers an opportunity for teachers
to enhance their critical and creative thinking. It gives teachers a sense of self-esteem in
being able to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently.

In additional to reflection and self-improvement, teachers continue to improve their

professional and interpersonal skills and knowledge when they:

1. Attend in servicing training;

2. Attend professional sessions in school or other levels;
3. Attend continuing education programs or graduate studies;
4. Consult with authority and other institutions and resources; and
5. Address problems in the context of their job

Teaching is a fulfilling experience. It stimulates—intellectually, emotionally, socially,

morally and physically. It keeps an individual active and involved. It is the reason why
most teachers who are devoted their professional enjoys longer lives. They are busy
helping leaners improve their capacities that they don’t have time to entertain negative
thoughts and feelings which usually invite illness. They are happy to be instrumental to
others’ success especially that of their students. The thought of having one’s job done
well energizes the spirit that keeps the Light of Life, Love, and Wisdom burning in the
mind, heart, and the body of true teacher

Reflections for those in the Teaching Profession

“Do your utmost, adding virtue to your faith, knowledge to your virtue, self-control to
you knowledge, patience to your self-control, true devotion to your patience.”
(2 Pet. 5-6)
p. 8 Celebrating the Teacher
Pedro Poveda Selected Thoughts
In Education
Education Formation Program,
Quezon City, 1995

SUMMARY

Teachers perform the varied roles in their task of facilitating learning. They plan and
carry out the learning activities. They need to use their professional competencies to make
the learning effective. They need to pass a Licensure Examination for Teachers before
becoming a professional or licensed teacher. Because of the demands of her tasks, a
teacher needs to continue her pursuit of knowledge and to reflect about herself, her work,
and her students so as to be effective.