The Philippine government’s Teacher Education Council (TEC) formally launched three landmark initiatives on October 16, 2025, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST): the Teacher Education Roadmap 2035, the TEC Teachers Award and Fellows Program, and the Research Initiatives in Teacher Education (RITE) Year 2. Together, these represent a major step in advancing teacher education in the Philippines.
The Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 sets the long-term strategic direction for teacher formation, aiming to produce “competent, ethical, inclusive, and resilient Filipino educators” through a comprehensive framework built on four pillars: elevating the teaching profession, strengthening educator preparation, investing in career development, and broadening the impact of teacher education through research and innovation.
Complementing the Roadmap, the TEC Teachers Award and Fellows Program were launched to honor exceptional educators who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to teaching and learning. The TEC Fellows Program aims to empower teacher-leaders by supporting their research and community engagement initiatives that respond to current educational challenges and generate evidence and innovations to strengthen teacher education policy and practice. Out of numerous applicants, eleven distinguished educators were selected as fellows.
Meanwhile, the Research Initiatives in Teacher Education (RITE) Year 2 program was formally launched through a ceremonial signing between the TEC and UST, represented by its Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. The UST College of Education is implementing the RITE Year 2, with the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education implementing the TEC Fellows Program. The initiative reaffirms the shared commitment of TEC and its academic partners to advance evidence-based policymaking and collaborative research in teacher education. With UST serving as the research lead and managing partner, RITE 2 will engage in research projects designed to enhance the development of teacher education profiles, curricula and programs, institutional structures, support systems, and professional development frameworks. The data and findings from RITE 2 will contribute to the formulation of evidence-based policies and programs that drive TEC’s ongoing initiatives and reforms in teacher education.
The launch was attended by TEC members, including TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, and PRC Chairperson Atty. Charito Zamora, who delivered their messages of support to the TEC initiatives. Other TEC officials also conveyed their messages through recorded videos, among them Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo. The event likewise brought together education leaders, policymakers, and representatives from various government agencies, along with administrators and faculty members from teacher education institutions nationwide.
Attending for the University are Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, Fr. Coronel, College of Education officials led by Dean Pilar I. Romero, PhD and Regent Fr. Art Vincent Pangan, O.P., and Research Center for Social Sciences and Education Officer-in-Charge Katrina Ninfa M. Topacio, PhD. Academic staff and researchers likewise joined the event.
Through these collective efforts, the TEC reinforces its mission to uphold excellence, integrity, and innovation in teacher education, ensuring that every Filipino learner is guided by empowered, well-supported, and future-ready educators.