Both, that will ultimately benefit learners around the country.
During the Teacher Education Council’s (TEC) Celebrating Teacher Excellence: A National Teachers’ Month 2026 Celebration on Wednesday, September 30, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognized the contributions of Filipino teachers to nation-building.
“Together with parents, communities, and other partners, we will continue to work to make our schools more secure and more responsive to the needs of our learners,” he said, adding his promise to improve teacher professional development.
“At the same time, we continue to improve teacher preparation and professional development throughout your careers.”
Marcos then cited that these efforts are evident in the administration’s approach, such as the Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 and the scholarship program for the Teacher Education Centers of Excellence.
The launch of My Teacher Education Commons (MyTEC), he said, has created more opportunities for teachers to continue learning and growing throughout their careers.
The said portal is a proposed shared digital platform being developed by the Teacher Education Council to support continuous professional learning and teacher development.
He also graced the TEC Teachers Awards, where the government is honoring educators who have demonstrated excellence and a commitment to continuous professional growth, the President emphasized.
“To awardees: Your recognition today is a tribute to what you have accomplished. Let your example inspire another teacher. May your experience help shape the next generation of teachers,” said the President. “To our scholars: The scholarship that you receive today is an investment in your future and in the future of the children that you will teach. Make the most of that opportunity. Study well. Learn deeply. Serve with compassion.”
The TEC Teachers Awards 2026 recognizes individuals who have contributed to the improvement of teacher education in the Philippines. It has five award categories recognize excellence in classroom practice, teacher preparation, leadership, research, and community engagement.
The Outstanding Transformative Teacher Award was conferred upon teachers who have gone beyond mere instruction to create learning experiences that enable students to discover new opportunities for themselves.
The Exemplary Teacher Educator Award was then presented to educators whose influence extends beyond their own students to reach future generations of teachers. The Innovative Education Leader Award recognizes individuals who have fostered an environment for new ideas, promoted collaboration, and helped educational institutions respond to evolving needs.
The Pre-Service Teacher Research Champion Award gave honor to aspiring educators who have demonstrated excellence in educational research and contributed to building an evidence base for the future of teacher education.
And, the Advocates of Community Empowerment Award commends individuals whose work extends beyond the classroom, creating meaningful opportunities for learning and development within communities.
The President also expressed gratitude to the country’s teachers and also acknowledged the government’s private-sector partners in teacher education for sharing their expertise, resources, research, and time.
Moreover, the President also told the educators that their hard work does not go unnoticed, stressing that tools such as technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), will change how children learn, but they cannot replace a teacher who guides them in deciding what is true, important, and right.
Hence, he also told teachers to help prepare the country’s students for the future by making them analytical, discerning decision-makers who remain considerate of others.
“And so, as we prepare our learners for the future, I implore you to help shape learners to become critical thinkers who question, discern, make sound decisions, and at the same time remaining compassionate and mindful of others,” President Marcos said. “We want capable young Filipinos who will one day lead our communities, our institutions, our country; and lead with wisdom, competence, and with empathy.”
The President then pointed out the recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) result, which he said is a solid proof, and gives reason to be hopeful.
However, he acknowledged: “There are still gaps in how our teachers are prepared and developed. Some are assigned to subjects outside their areas of specialization, while training does not always respond to the realities they face in the classroom.”
Meanwhile, for his part, Secretary Sonny Angara said: “Education is not built by one person alone; it is strengthened by our collective and collaborative efforts so that every Filipino learner can reach their dreams, and that begins by empowering the very educators who guide them.”
