Presidential Decree No. 1006: Teaching Professionalism

Presidential Decree No. 1006: Professionalizing Teaching

• Title: This Decree is known as the Professionalizing Teaching Decree.

• Policy Declaration: Teacher education will be a top priority for the government, focusing on Philippine conditions and Filipino aspirations, while also incorporating valuable ideas from other countries.

• Definition of Terms:

  • Teaching: The profession focusing on classroom instruction—elementary and secondary—following national curriculum guidelines (part-time or full-time in public or private schools).
  • Teachers: People involved in teaching at elementary and secondary levels (full-time or part-time), including counselors, librarians, arts/vocational teachers and other supervisory/administrative personnel.

• National Board for Teachers:

  • There's a National Board for Teachers.
  • The Board is composed of: The Secretary of Education and Culture, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, a Commissioner from Professional Regulations Commission, and two private sector members appointed by the President.

• Board Powers and Duties:

  • Appoint examiners to create and manage yearly teacher examinations at elementary and secondary levels.
  • Establish examination places/dates, and assign supervisors/room examiners who'll receive a daily allowance.
  • Employ examination buildings and facilities, approve applications, and release results.
  • Address issues pertaining to the teaching profession to improve standards and ethics.
  • Issue, suspend, revoke, or replace Professional Teacher Certificates.
  • Hire and direct personnel needed for the Board functions and set their compensation.
  • Set fees, and make rules/regulations to implement the Decree.

• Examination Qualifications:

  • Applicants must be Filipino citizens for at least five years, of good moral character, free from physical/mental incapacities, and meet specified educational qualifications.

• Examination Procedures:

  • Examiners are appointed, but their names are confidential until after results are released.
  • Examiners earn a minimum of P5.00 per examinee (maximum P18,000 per exam).
  • Government examiners receive compensation in addition to salaries.
  • Examinations consist of written tests designed by the Board and based on school curriculum.

• Ratings and Results:

  • Candidates must attain a general average of at least 70% with no grade below 50% in any subject.
  • Examiners report exam results to the Board within 150 days or less.

• Issuance of Certificates:

  • Teachers passing Civil Service Commission or joint exams with the Department of Education and Culture are considered to have passed Board examinations.
  • The Board can issue certificates of eligibility or a new certificate of registration upon payment of fees.

• Registration:

  • The Civil Service Commission handles registration and verification for Professional Teacher Certificates.
  • Certificates can be suspended or revoked for valid reasons.

• Reissuance/Replacement:

  • The Board, due to equity, can re-issue certificates that were lost, destroyed or revoked, upon payment of fees following the Board's guidelines.

• Reciprocity Registration:

  • Foreign teachers registered in foreign countries with similar requirements can be registered in the Philippines without exams (with proper supporting documents and approval by the Board and a confirmation by the Department of Foreign Affairs).

• Prohibition:

  • No one can teach in elementary or secondary schools without a valid Professional Teacher Certificate for three years after the Decree's enactment.

• Penalties:

  • Impersonating or obtaining a certificate fraudulently or violating any provision of the Decree could result in a significant fine combined with imprisonment (based on court discretion)

• Repealing Clause:

  • Acts or parts thereof conflicting with the Decree are invalid or modified as necessary.

• Separability Clause:

  • Declaring a part of this Decree invalid or unconstitutional does not affect the validity of other parts of the Decree.

• Effectivity Date: January 1, 1977.