EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 500
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 500 -
ESTABLISHING A NEW SYSTEM OF CAREER PROGRESSION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHERS
WHEREAS,
there is need to encourage excellent teachers to remain as classroom
teachers.
WHEREAS, the existing system paradoxically removes from the classroom
those who are recognized for excellence in classroom teaching;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to recognize the teaching ability of teachers
not by promoting them or shifting them to administrative
responsibilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
do hereby order the following measures to establish a new system of
career progression for public school teachers:
Section 1. Statement of Policy. — It is necessary to
establish a system of career progression and promotion for public
school teachers that attaches a premium to classroom effectiveness, and
that allows teachers to remain in the classroom while advancing in
stature and compensation. Classroom teachers shall be given the option
of choosing alternative career lines in School Administration or in
Classroom Teaching, for purposes of Advancement. The system shall
provide for equivalence in duties, recognition and compensation, for
persons choosing either career line.
Sec. 2. School Administration Career. — A
classroom teacher opting for a career in school administration shall be
classified, upon promotion, within the School Administration Group. The
existing classes in the Group shall be maintained, consisting of
District Supervisor, Elementary Principal III, Elementary Principal II,
and Elementary Principal I or Head Teacher, unless otherwise modified
pursuant to existing rules and regulations.
Sec. 3. Classroom Teaching Career. — New classes
in the Teaching Group shall be created as follows: Master Teacher I,
Master Teacher II, Master Teacher III and Master Teacher IV. A
Classroom teacher opting for a career in classroom teaching shall be
classified, upon promotion, within these new classes in the Teaching
Group.
Sec. 4. Equivalence in Classes. — The new classes
in the Teaching Group shall be equivalent to existing classes in the
School Administration Group as follows, until modified under existing
rules and regulations:
District
Supervisor — Master
Teacher IV
Elementary Principal III —
Master Teacher III
Elementary Principal II —
Master Teacher II
Elementary Principal I or Head
Teacher 5 — Master Teacher I
Sec. 5. Choice of Career Path. — The position of
elementary grade teacher shall form the base of the career system. At
the proper time, an elementary grade teacher may be promoted either to
Master Teacher I or to Elementary Principal-Head Teacher thus
committing the teacher to his chosen career path. Individuals who
become Elementary Principal or Head Teacher shall continue upwards in
the School Administration Career line while teachers who become Master
Teacher I shall continue upwards in the Classroom Teacher Career line:
Provided, That there shall be no switching from one career line to
another unless it is clearly demonstrated that the individual possesses
all the necessary qualifications for the other career line, that exceed
those of individuals who otherwise may also be considered for any
existing vacancy: Provided, Further, that both District Supervisors and
Master Teachers IV may be considered for promotion to the next higher
position in the service.
Sec. 6. Professional Administrators. — Recognizing
the existence of School Administration as a new professional field, a
new Professional Teacher may be appointed to an administrative position
in the School Administration Career line e.g., as Head Teacher, upon
passing an examination which shall be given for the purpose and
administered jointly by the Civil Service Commission and the Department
of Education and Culture: Provided, That the new appointee meets the
other qualifications required for the position and that elementary
grade teachers in the service may also take such examination in order
to qualify for administrative positions, and Provided, Further, that
present incumbents of Head Teacher positions who aspire for promotion
to higher positions in the professional administration field shall
likewise be required to take appropriate examination for the purpose of
determining their competence for the positions.
Sec. 7. Creation of Master Teacher Positions. —
The Itemization of Personal Services of the National Government shall
provide for the creation of Master Teacher positions in order to
implement this Executive Order: Provided, That no less than 15,000
Master Teacher I positions shall be created beginning School Year
1979-80 and that an adequate number of higher Master Teacher positions
shall be created beginning School Year 1980-81, subject to availability
of funds.
Sec. 8. Rules and Regulations. — The rules and
regulations necessary for effective implementation of this Executive
Order shall be promulgated by the Civil Service Commission, the
Department of Education and Culture and the Budget Commission.
Sec. 9. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall
take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 21st day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-eight.