I WAS interviewed the other day in at least two leading “teleradio” programs on the status of K to 12 implementation. One of the questions asked was on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) readiness, with respect to the hiring of teachers who will teach in senior high school (SHS), or specifically in Grade 11, this school year (SY) 2016-2017, when we start the “rollout” implementation of Grade 11 (this June 2016) and Grade 12 (in June 2017).
I explained that since October 2015, the DepEd has issued a “call for expressions of intent” to teach in SHS for SY 2016-2017. Based on our records, the DepEd received 41,692 applications (4,114 came from higher-education institutions). Since we are still accepting applications for SHS teaching positions, these numbers mean that we should have more than enough applicants to fill the 40,320 Grade 11 teaching positions that we intend to create this year.
In relation to this, our Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, (through the efforts of the offices of Education Undersecretaries Lino Rivera and Dina Ocampo and Assistant Secretary Jess Mateo) issued on January 21 DepEd Order (DO) 3, Series of 2016, entitled “Hiring Guidelines for Senior High School Teaching Positions Effective School Year 2016-2017.”
This DO provides the application, selection and appointment process of SHS teachers, as well as establishes the professional standards and evaluation criteria to ensure that highly competent individuals with the appropriate qualifications and specializations are hired to teach in SHS. Some of the highlights of this DO 3 are as follows:
- The schools division superintendent (SDS) shall organize and designate the members of the school screening committees (SSCs) for all expanded junior high schools and a division selection committee (DSC).
- The application process starts with the applicants’ registration in the DepEd’s online system at application.deped.gov.ph, where they must encode their personal data sheet (PDS) and select the schools division(s) which has or have jurisdiction over the locations or schools where they want to teach. Applicants should receive a Unique Applicant Number (UAN) after they complete the online registration process. In the submission of application requirements, the UAN shall be indicated if available.
- Applicant shall then submit to the Schools Division Office (SDO) or the school head of the SHS where a teacher shortage or vacancy exists, a written application, supported by the following mandatory requirements and/or documents: Letter of intent, which shall indicate, among others, the subject group the applicant intends to teach and the preferred schools, if any; personal data sheet in two copies with the latest 2×2 picture; certified true copies of certificates of relevant specialized trainings, if any; certified copy of voter’s ID and/or any proof of residency; National Bureau of Investigation clearance; omnibus certification of authenticity and veracity of all documents submitted, signed by the applicant.
- Some of the additional requirements for applicants of permanent SHS teaching positions are the certified photocopies of applicants’ diploma, transcript of records, Professional Regulation Commission ID or license, and ratings obtained in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)/ Professional Board Examination for Teachers (PBET), if applicable. In case of applicants for part-time positions, applicant shall submit also a written approval from his/her head of unit if he/she is currently employed by the national government or the local government unit.
- Evaluation criteria include education; teaching/industry or workplace experience; specialized training, if any; interview; English communication skills; outstanding achievements; and demonstration teaching.
We invite all interested applicants to visit our DepEd’s online system at application.deped.gov.ph.
Lawyer Toni Umali is the current assistant secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs of the DepEd. He is licensed to practice law not only in the Philippines, but also in the state of California and some federal courts in the US after passing the California State Bar Examinations in 2004. He has served as a legal consultant to several legislators and local chief executives. As education assistant secretary, he was instrumental in the passage of the K to 12 law and the issuance of its implementing rules and regulations. He is also the alternate spokesman of the DepEd.