President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday emphasized the need to strengthen preparation and development in teachers’ careers, as some educators remain assigned outside their specialized subjects and training sometimes does not reflect classroom realities.
In his speech at the 2026 Teachers Awards at the Manila Hotel in Manila, Marcos said his administration would address gaps in teachers’ preparation and professional development to foster secure learning environments in schools.
‘We want our teachers to have better preparation even before they enter the classroom, to have meaningful opportunities to continue learning throughout their careers,’ the president said.
He also noted that his administration supports the career development of Filipino teachers through its Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 and the Teacher Education Centers for Excellence.
These programs, together with the newly launched My Teacher Education Commons Portal, enable educators to upskill throughout their careers.
‘The most important part of our education system is the teachers,’ he said, underscoring that the education system will succeed if teachers receive proper support.
Marcos also assured the public that the government would reinforce school safety and student support by making schools more secure and better suited to learners’ needs.
‘Because teachers do more than just teach lessons. For many of our children, they become second parents in school, helping create environments where learners feel safe, supported, and cared for,’ he added.