PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure allowing Home Economics graduates to teach subjects based on or related to their degree in elementary and secondary levels at both public and private schools.
Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11168, which emphasizes that the "invaluable contribution that Filipino professionals and specialists, particularly degree holders of Home Economics, can make to the realization of a literate, skilled and productive citizenry."
"It is the policy of the State, as enshrined in the 'Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013,' to allow graduates and specialists on specific fields that have limited licensed teacher applicants to teach in their specialized subjects for the basic education levels," the law, inked on January 3, read.
Under RA 11168, Home Economic graduates are allowed to teach home economics subjects and home economics-related technical-vocational (Tech-Voc) subjects in all public and private institutions in the country.
A competent Home Economic graduate who wishes to teach Tech-Voc subjects in secondary educational institutions must obtain National Certificate Levels 1 and 2 from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the law requires.
Graduates of Home Economics are also mandated to obtain a National Certificate Level 1 and National Certificate Level 2 from the Tesda before they can teach Tech-Voc subjects.
They are also mandated to take the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET) within five years from the date of hiring, unless they are only teaching on a part-time basis.
"However, graduates who are willing to teach on part-time basis shall not be required to take the LET," RA 11168 said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Civil Service Commission, in consultation with Tesda, are tasked to jointly formulate the appropriate standards and guidelines, to include academic requirements and competencies to assess the qualifications of Home Economics for the technical-vocational subjects.
Within 90 days after the effectivity of the newly-signed law, the DepEd secretary, in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education chairperson, the Tesda director general, and the Professional Regulation Commission chairperson, should promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.
RA 11168 takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers.
A copy of RA 11168 was sent to Palace reporters on Tuesday, January 22. (SunStar Philippines)