Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday lauded the signing of Republic Act (RA) 12288, or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, saying the measure will help attract, develop, and retain the country’s best educators.

Legarda, who authored and co-sponsored the measure, described it as a landmark reform that recognizes the competence, dedication, and vital role of Filipino teachers in shaping the nation’s future.

“As we strive to elevate the quality of education for our learners, we must also uplift the status of our educators. By giving them clear and fair pathways for advancement, we affirm that the Filipino teacher lights the way forward,” she said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law RA 12288 last Sept. 12, establishing a competency-based promotion system that allows elementary and secondary teachers to advance based on merit and qualifications.

The law creates two distinct career tracks and expands the teaching ladder with new higher-level positions such as Master Teacher IV to VII, while promotions will no longer depend solely on vacancies but on merit, competence, and fitness.

Positions from Teacher I to Master Teacher I will serve as the base of the expanded system.

The law also recognizes prior learning and teaching experience, allowing qualified educators to enter any position within the base level, subject to Civil Service Commission (CSC) standards and Teacher Education Council (TEC) indicators.

The CSC, Department of Education, Professional Regulation Commission and TEC are directed to harmonize qualification standards for teaching positions across the public school system. (PNA)