MANILA, Philippines – With less than 8 months to go before the nationwide implementation of the K to 12 program’s senior high school (SHS), the education department begins its search for qualified teachers that will educate millions of students by June 2016.

In a recent bulletin posted on its website, the Department of Education (DepEd) called on “qualified and highly-competent teachers, professionals, practitioners, and experts” interested in teaching subjects of 4 SHS tracks: academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, arts and design, and sports.

The department’s hiring needs for SHS include 30,000 teaching staff (full-time and part-time teaching positions) and 6,000 non-teaching staff every year for school years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. (READ: INFOGRAPHIC: 10 things about K to 12)

“The purpose of this call is to have a preliminary pool. Once the teaching positions are created, [schools division offices] shall publish vacancies for a period of 10 days in compliance with Republic Act 7041 (Publication Law),” the bulletin read.

Priority for displaced college workers

The controversial K to 12 law, which was enacted in 2013, is facing at least 5 petitions before the Supreme Court, all asking the High Court to suspend the program.

For critics, K to 12’s labor implications on college workers is one of the basis for junking the program.

The latest figures from the Commission on Higher Education showed that 13,634 teaching staff and 11,456 non-teaching staff from higher education institutions may be displaced because of the program.

But Education Secretary Armin Luistro assured critics and even a labor council under the Office of the President that displaced college workers will be prioritized in DepEd’s hiring process for SHS. 

The latest DepEd bulletin reiterated this: “Affected/displaced faculty from higher education institutions shall likewise be given priority.”

Priority will also be based on ranking, while a successful applicant’s teaching rank, salary grade, and status of appointment will depend on his/her qualifications. 

Only applicants with a Professional Regulation Commission teaching license “and/or appropriate certification” will be given permanent full-time status.

According to the K to 12’s implementing rules and regulations, those who have not yet taken the Licensure Examination for Teacher (LET) need to pass the exam within 5 years after they were hired.

Taking the LET is not required for educators who are “willing to teach…on part-time basis.”

DepEd schools division offices will accept letters of intent until October 30. Check the department’s website for other application requirements.

Senior high school’s National Early Registration Week will begin on October 19. (MAP: DepEd schools that will offer senior high in 2016) – Rappler.com