AFTER THREE DECADES Teacher licensure exams set to undergo revamp

The licensure exam for teachers is set to undergo its biggest change in three decades as the government introduces separate tests for different teaching specializations.

- Cristina Chi

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) signed a joint memorandum circular on Thursday, April 10, that creates dedicated licensure exams for the different subjects in elementary and secondary education — directly matching tests to teacher training for the first time since the examination began in 1996.

The new system, which will be implemented in phases starting September, creates separate examinations for elementary education and secondary education with at least ten specializations:

English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Values Education, Technology and Livelihood Education, Technical-Vocational Teacher Education, Physical Education, and Culture and Arts Education.

Those who aim to become teachers in the fields of early childhood and special needs education will also similarly take a different licensure exam.

Each licensure exam will assess three areas: general education, professional education, and the specific field of specialization that matches the teacher’s training.