The Philippine education crisis is primarily centered on efficient teaching practices and professional teacher development, as highlighted by a 2023 World Bank report. Far Eastern University is promoting its 400 Teachers Program to train and enlist 200 higher education teachers, 100 teaching assistants, 50 primary education teachers, and 50 nursing teachers or clinical instructors over five years.
Those who join the program will receive a scholarship to take four 90-hour engagement sessions centered on student-centered pedagogies, assessment in student-centered classrooms, critical thinking and advanced communication, and research-based teaching and learning.
“The FEU 400 Teachers Program is a testament to our commitment to the education mission. By investing in our teachers’ professional development, we are enhancing the quality of education at FEU and contributing to the broader educational landscape in the Philippines,” said Dr. Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
After completing the program, participants must render return service as part of the scholarship agreement. By welcoming these trained teachers into the workforce, FEU also helps address the country’s severe shortage of teaching staff, as indicated in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment.
Aside from the shortage of teaching staff, several Philippine education institutions need more resources, leading to a decline in teaching quality and professional development opportunities. This becomes more pronounced in poorer communities and provinces in the country.
The FEU Community Networking to Nurture Education Coaching and Training: Teacher Training Caravan goes beyond the campus grounds to conduct teacher engagement workshops in areas outside Metro Manila. The program offers free workshops and continuing professional development units for FEU partner schools and community teachers, including Batangas, Cavite, Cainta, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga.
“We believe that teacher development is the cornerstone of educational excellence. By offering professional development opportunities to teachers in underserved areas, we aim to bridge the gap in education quality and provide every teacher with the tools they need to succeed,” said Dr. Tinio.
Further enhancing its reputation for high-quality education, FEU has been selected as a partner of the Commission on Higher Education for this year’s tri-regional National Symposium on Innovations in Teaching and Learning on Industry 4.0 and Smart Nation. The symposium disseminates various teaching and learning strategies to higher education institutions throughout the Philippines.
Through these initiatives, FEU supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by increasing the number of qualified teaching professionals within and beyond the university. By intensifying its teacher development programs, FEU sets a benchmark for educational institutions nationwide and positions itself as a leader in shaping the future of education in the Philippines.
