DepEd: Reappointment of SHS provisional teachers approved

Due to a lack of available qualified and licensed teachers, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) approved the renewal of provisional appointments of senior high school (SHS) teachers for the academic year 2022 to 2023.

The Department of Education said on Saturday that CSC Resolution No. 2200353 allowed the reappointment of SHS provisional teachers who were first hired in 2016 and 2017, provided that the teachers can show proof that they had taken the licensure examination at least once in the past five years.

The DepEd said the K to 12 Law allows the acceptance of unlicensed teachers to teach specialized subjects in SHS, on the condition that the provisional teacher must pass the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) within five years.

However, the administration of the LEPT was limited, affecting provisional teachers from receiving the examination in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the circumstances, the DepEd asked the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and CSC to prioritize the appeal of SHS provisional teachers who were first hired in 2016 to be accommodated in the LEPT administration and reassigned beyond the five-year allowable period.

The CSC thus granted another year's appointment extension, including for those who were first hired in 2017.

The commission also promised to consider any future DepEd appeals on the matter.

The DepEd said it was working with the PRC on reopening the online application system to accommodate SHS provisional teachers who failed to obtain LEPT slots in the scheduled exam this September 2022.

“Nilalayon ng mga hakbang na makakuha ng sapat na bilang ng mga guro sa SHS na may kadalubhasaan at espesyalisasyong kinakailangan at matiyak ang patuloy na trabaho at kabuhayan ng mga guro ng SHS, lalo na sa gitna ng pandemya,” the department said.

(The said measures aim to secure sufficient numbers of SHS teachers with the necessary expertise and specialization and to ensure the continued employment and livelihood of SHS teachers, especially during the pandemic.)

The DepED added that it would issue implementing guidelines and specific rules and procedures compliant with the conditions stated in the CSC resolution. — DVM, GMA News