The Department of Education (DepEd) is working on a one principal-one school policy to ensure that every public school in the country has a dedicated school head. This comes after a report from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) revealed that over 24,000 public schools currently lack principals.
DepEd’s Plan to Address the Shortage of School Heads
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the agency is actively working on assigning school principals to institutions that do not have one. Under the current system, there is no automatic assignment of a principal to every school, which the government now aims to change.
“There should be a principal for each school,” Angara emphasized.
The DepEd also plans to prioritize the promotion and reclassification of qualified Head Teachers and Teachers-in-Charge into full-fledged school principals. This move will help ensure that leadership positions in schools are filled by experienced and competent educators.
Reallocating Qualified Principals to Underserved Areas
One of the main challenges in implementing the new policy is the unequal distribution of school heads across the country. Some regions have an oversupply of qualified principals, while others suffer from a severe shortage.
To address this issue, the DepEd will conduct a thorough assessment of each region’s manpower distribution. This evaluation will help determine where there is an excess of qualified applicants and where there is a lack of school heads. The agency will then create a fair system for reallocating principals to schools that need them the most.
“We should also see the overall distribution. What regions have an oversupply of qualified principals and how can we distribute them in a way that would be fair to the applicants?” Angara said.
Why School Principals Are Important in Education
The role of school principals goes beyond administration. They serve as instructional leaders who guide teachers, manage school operations, and ensure the effective implementation of educational policies. Having a dedicated principal in every school can lead to:
- Better teacher performance due to clear leadership and guidance.
- Improved student outcomes through well-managed learning programs.
- Stronger implementation of educational policies to maintain quality education.
- A more organized and efficient school system that fosters a positive learning environment.
Without a school principal, teachers may struggle with additional administrative tasks, which can take time away from their primary role of teaching students.
Making the School Principal Exam More Accessible
Another major step in addressing the shortage of school heads is improving the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH). DepEd plans to decentralize the exam while maintaining a uniform standard nationwide. This change will make it easier for aspiring school leaders to take the test without having to travel far from their respective regions.
DepEd is also considering offering the NQESH more frequently to provide more opportunities for teachers who want to advance in their careers. In addition, the agency is looking into expanding training programs under the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP). These programs will help prepare teachers for leadership roles and equip them with the skills needed to become effective school principals.
What This Means for the Future of Philippine Education
The one principal-one school policy is a significant step toward improving the overall quality of education in the country. By ensuring that each school has a dedicated leader, DepEd aims to:
- Strengthen school leadership and management
- Ensure better policy implementation
- Support teachers and staff in their professional growth
- Enhance student learning experiences
This initiative will also help balance workload distribution among teachers and administrators, leading to a more efficient and effective education system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does the Philippines have a shortage of school principals?
The shortage is mainly due to a lack of available principal positions, an unequal distribution of qualified candidates, and limited accessibility to the qualifying exam.
How will DepEd fill the vacant principal positions?
DepEd plans to promote and reclassify qualified Head Teachers and Teachers-in-Charge into principal roles. They will also reallocate existing qualified principals from oversupplied regions to underserved areas.
What is the role of a school principal?
A principal manages school operations, leads teachers, ensures policy implementation, and creates a positive learning environment for students.
How will the changes in NQESH benefit aspiring principals?
Decentralizing the exam and offering it more frequently will make it easier and more accessible for teachers to take the test and qualify for leadership roles.
When will the one principal-one school policy be implemented?
DepEd has not announced an exact date yet, but the agency is currently working on assessments and policy changes to begin the implementation soon.
Conclusion
The one principal-one school policy is a crucial move to improve the Philippine education system. By addressing the leadership shortage, DepEd hopes to create a more organized, well-managed, and effective school system that benefits both teachers and students. Ensuring that every school has a principal will help enhance educational quality, teacher performance, and student learning outcomes across the country.
