The Board Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers (LEPT) plays a vital role in ensuring that aspiring educators in the Philippines are well-prepared and qualified. Over the years, several significant milestones have shaped the way the LEPT is administered and aligned with teacher education reforms. Here are the most important events that influenced the licensure process for teachers in the country.
1994: Foundations of Teacher Professionalization
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Republic Act No. 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) – Established the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to govern higher education in the Philippines.
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Republic Act No. 7836 (Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994) – Introduced the requirement for teachers to pass the LEPT, to be administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
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Republic Act No. 7784 – Created the Teacher Education Council (TEC), aimed at improving teacher education quality.
2000: Modernizing the PRC
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Republic Act No. 8981 (PRC Modernization Act of 2000) – Initiated reforms to modernize the Professional Regulation Commission and streamline the licensure process.
2013: Early Education in Focus
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Republic Act No. 1041 (Early Years Act of 2013) – Emphasized the importance of early childhood education, influencing the content of teacher training programs.
2017: New Standards for Teacher Education
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CHED En Banc Resolution No. 724-2017 – Approved new Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSGs) for various Bachelor of Education programs.
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CHED Memorandum Orders (CMOs), Series of 2017 – Released updated PSGs for programs such as Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd), Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECEd), and Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNEd).
2022: Inclusion of Special Needs Education
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Republic Act No. 11650 – Required the integration of inclusive education in teacher training curricula and introduced a dedicated specialization in special needs and inclusive education in the LEPT.
2025: Reform Milestones
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March 4, 2025 – A sectoral meeting was held with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace. The discussion emphasized the urgency of reforms in teacher education.
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April 2025 – The PRC-CHED Joint Memorandum Circular was issued, officially aligning the LEPT with the updated teacher education curriculum.
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September 2025 (Tentative) – The phased implementation of the revised LEPT is expected to begin. A more detailed implementation plan will be announced soon.
Why These Reforms Matter
These key events represent significant efforts to:
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Raise the standards of teacher education in the Philippines
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Prepare teachers to address the diverse needs of learners, including those with special needs
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Ensure that Filipino teachers are globally competitive and equipped for modern educational challenges
Final Thoughts
The journey toward a more effective and inclusive licensure system for teachers continues. Through these milestones, the Philippine education system moves forward in developing educators who are not only competent but also responsive to the needs of all learners.
#RaiseTheStandards #UpliftEducation
For more updates and resources, visit www.edcom2.gov.ph.