THE HISTORICAL AND LEGAL BASES OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
Even before the enactment of this CPD Act of 2016, CPD was already alluded to in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. No less than the fundamental law of the land, Section 5, Paragraph 4, states: "The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement.
Other laws also cited continuing professional development, as follows:
1. Batas Pambansa 232, the Education Act of 1982, Chapter 3. Duties and Obligations, Section 16, (4) states as one of teacher's obligations to assume the responsibility to maintain and sustain his professional growth and advancement.
2. RA 9155, An Act Instituting a Framework of Governance for Basic Education, Establishing Authority and Accountability, renaming the Department of Education, Culture and Sports as the Department of Education, and for other purposes, was enacted on August 11, 2001.
In addition to his/her powers under existing laws, the Secretary of Education shall have authority, accountability and responsibility among other things for .. (6) Enhancing the employment status, professional competence, welfare and working conditions of all personnel of the Department;…. Section 7, E states, to wit, " ...Consistent with the national educational policies, plans and standards, the school heads shall have authority, accountability and responsibility for .. encouraging staff development, " (Underscoring mine)
3. RA 7836, the Teachers' Professionalization Act, also provided for mandatory Continuing Professional Education (CPE), now referred to as Continuing Professional Development (CPD), to wit:
To encourage continuing professional growth and development and to provide additional basis for merit promotion, in addition to their performance rating, teachers may take an oral and written examination at least once in five (S) years as basis for merit promotion. In taking this examination, no fee shall be required (Sec. 19. Periodic Merit Examination of Teachers).
Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, the merit examination has not been implemented up to writing time.
The same RA. 7836 states: Unjustified or willful failure to attend seminars, workshops, conferences and the like or the continuing education program prescribed by the Board and the Commission (Sec. 23, h. Revocation of the Certificate of Registration, Suspension from the Practice of the Teaching Profession, and Cancellation of Temporary or Special Permit).
4. The Board for Professional Teachers (BPT) also passed Resolution No. 435, s. 177 to adopt the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e) Article 11 of RA. 7836, otherwise known as The Philippine Teachers' Professionalization Act of 1994. This Code of Ethics states:
Every teacher shall participate in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program of the Professional a Regulation Commission, and shall pursue such other studies as will improve his efficiency, enhance the prestige of his profession, and strengthen his competence, virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally and internationally competitive. (Section 3, Article IV)
5. Executive Order # 266, Institutionalization of the Continuing - Professional Education (CPE) Programs of the Various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) Under the Supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). This was signed and issued by the Office of then President Fidel V. Ramos on July 25, 1995, to wit:
THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS PREMISED ON THE FOLLOWING:
WHEREAS, the various professions play a crucial role in nation-building;
WHEREAS, it is imperative to impose upon registered professionals the completion of the Continuing
Professional Education (CPE) programs adopted by the concerned Board as a pre-requisite for the renewal of their licenses;
WHEREAS, the professionals who undertake the CPE programs are enabled not only to upgrade or improve their technical knowledge and skills but also to Keep them abreast with modern trends and technology in their respective professions, thereby assuring the rendition of highly qualitative professional services that will be globally competitive under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the same time securing the safety and protection of the public;
WHEREAS, the confidence and patronage of the public in a professional depend upon his competence and the quality of service rendered resulting from his acquisition of updated technical knowledge and skill;
6. RA 10912, Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 - With the enactment of this law, CPD for all the forty three (43) professions regulated by PRC including the teaching profession has become mandatory.
THE SALIENT PROVISIONS OF RA10912, THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016
A lot of questions have been raised about RA. 10912, otherwise known as the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016. Many a teacher resists CPD. It is claimed to be extra expense, extra effort and extra time when in fact it is every professional' s obligation. CD is the only way professionals can sharpen their competitive edge in an international world that has become global village. The need for CPD is heightened by ASEAN integration and internationalization which are now real. To be in, a professional must meet international standards. The way to go is CPD.