The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) revealed troubling data during a House basic education panel session, indicating that 62% of high school teachers in public schools are teaching subjects outside their area of expertise.
This discrepancy is attributed to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) practice of assigning subjects based on availability rather than specialization due to budget constraints. Concerns have been raised about the competence of teachers, particularly in science education, ahead of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test in 2025, with over half of science teachers lacking subject-specific training.
Executive Director Karol Yee of EDCOM 2 highlighted the challenges faced by teachers in public schools, where hiring practices at the local level result in educators being assigned subjects they were not trained for.
The insufficient number of plantilla positions for teachers exacerbates the issue, leading to mismatches in teacher qualifications and assigned subjects. Amidst various government initiatives, including the Balik Scientist Program, aimed at addressing the shortage of specialized teachers in math and science, concerns persist as more than half of science teachers lack a background in the subject.
Discussions surrounding teacher-subject mismatches come as DepEd plans to implement a learning recovery program to enhance student proficiency in numeracy and literacy.
Photo Courtesy: PNA