Does the school comply with the requirements of the Department of Education (DepED)?
The ultimate goal of every school is to acquire recognition from DepED. This may take several years of accreditation process. The first step that the school undergoes is to seek an annual permit to operate a school from DepED by sending their application and submitting tons of documents of to indicate the school’s compliance with the standards and requirements set by DepED. The accreditation process requires procurement of a permit to operate and annual submission of documents required in compliance to standards set by DepED. Approval by DepED is granted when all requirements are in good order.
After at least a few years of operation and consistent annual accreditation, meaning a permit is procured annually and requirements are submitted to DepEd, Recognition by the department of education may be granted. Once recognition is given to a school, the school does not need to seek annual permit from DepEd and no longer submits a stringent host of documentation.
Teachers’ Accreditation – The DepED also requires that all teachers should have accreditation by taking and passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). A minimum of 18 units on a course on education is required for a college graduate to take LET.
Many schools hire teachers who do not have LET. A teacher should also be assigned to teach a specific grade level that is appropriate for his/her educational background. For example, all teachers should have a degree on education. A preschool teacher should have an Early Childhood Education background or degree. A grade school teacher should have an Elementary Education Degree. A high school teacher should have a Secondary Education Degree. Many schools assign teachers who do not have the educational qualification to teach a specific grade level. For example, a preschool teacher is assigned to teach a first grade class. Another example is a teacher with an elementary education degree, having no background in early childhood education, is assigned to teach preschool students. Preschool age children are very different from grade school age children. That is why specific educational background and training are important elements in successful education of children.
Inquire about the teacher assigned to your child. One reason why a lot of students are low performing is because their teacher is under-trained, under-qualified or does not possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, experience, or credentials for the actual grade level assignment that the teacher is appointed to handle. Many schools compromise because of the exodus of qualified teachers in recent years. To minimize on costs, many schools curtail in-house training to develop their teachers. Many teachers who typically learn the theories in school but may not have practical know-how in teaching are subject to the school’s curriculum and requirements without being given the proper assistance and training they need to succeed as a teacher. A good school must have a Staff Development Program and a Continuing Education Program.
