DepEd expands global pathways for Filipino learners under renewed SPFL partnership with Republic of Korea

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

MANILA, 4 March 2026 - Filipino students are set to gain more global competitive advantage as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Education renewed their cooperation agreement on the teaching of the Korean language in select public high schools.

The renewal was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Secretary Sonny Angara and ROK Minister of Education Choi Kyo-Jin.

The signed agreement was formally presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and ROK President Lee Jae Myung in a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace during the latter’s state visit on Tuesday.

The agreement falls under the DepEd’s Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL), an initiative designed to prepare Filipino students for international careers by fostering cultural diversity and language proficiency.

“By renewing this partnership, we are not just teaching a new language; we are opening doors to global opportunities for our teachers and learners,” Secretary Angara said.

Originally piloted in 2009, the SPFL now offers Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese and Korean languages in select secondary schools, in partnership with foreign institutions.

The SPFL-Korean was introduced through a memorandum of agreement signed in June 2017 between the DepEd and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Under that agreement, the Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines (KCC) served as the official training provider, offering immersive cultural experiences to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.

For SY 2024-2025, the SPFL-Korean program was implemented in 69 public secondary schools across 13 regions, benefitting 4,810 learners and facilitating the professional upskilling and language training of 168 teachers.

The new MOU ensures the sustainability of the program as the previous agreement has expired.

The renewed partnership focuses on curriculum development; teacher capacity building; provision of Korean language specialists and teaching resources; and continued institutionalization of Korean as a foreign language in select high schools.

The renewal of the agreement marks another milestone in Philippines-ROK bilateral relations, underscoring a shared commitment for educational innovation and cultural exchange.

DepEd reiterates support for Filipino teachers in the Middle East through SPIMS reintegration program

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 2 March 2026 - In light of the evolving security situation in parts of the Middle East, the Department of Education (DepEd) affirms its readiness to support Filipino teachers who may be affected and are considering returning to the Philippines.


Through the Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program, DepEd, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), provides a reintegration pathway for licensed Filipino teachers employed overseas to transition into the public school system.

 


Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the Department’s commitment to supporting returning educators: “Sa mga gurong Pilipino sa Gitnang Silangan at sa iba pang panig ng mundo, bukas ang pintuan ng ating mga pampublikong paaralan para sa inyo. Kung magpapasya kayong umuwi, kasama ninyo ang DepEd sa panibagong yugto ng inyong paglilingkod.”


Qualified applicants may be hired and appointed as Teacher I under permanent status, subject to compliance with established qualification standards and existing hiring guidelines.


The SPIMS Program is an employment reintegration convergence initiative led by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (DMW-NRCO) and implemented in coordination and partner agencies, including DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other relevant government offices.


The program ensures institutional coordination for a structured and orderly transition of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) into the public education system.


Specifically, SPIMS aims to provide returning OFW Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers with gainful employment in public schools, help address teacher shortages in support of the K to 12 curriculum, and offer online refresher courses for those who may need to update their pedagogical competencies in line with current educational standards.


Eligible applicants must be Filipino citizens or Philippine passport holders who are LET passers with at least one year of accumulated teaching experience within the last five years and who have not resided in the Philippines for more than three consecutive years based on their latest arrival record.


For guidance on the application process and documentary requirements, applicants may coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) through their official channels. Required documents include a valid PRC ID, Certificate of Board Rating, and proof of employment abroad.


DepEd recognizes the valuable contributions of Filipino teachers abroad and remains steadfast in strengthening the country’s teacher workforce while upholding support mechanisms for educators, both at home and overseas.

DepEd advances teacher career progression with approval of 5,335 promotion backlogs

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 3 March 2026 - The Department of Education (DepEd) has received the approval of 5,335 teacher reclassification applications processed under previous guidelines during the transition phase of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) implementation – marking another major milestone in strengthening career advancement opportunities for public school teachers nationwide.

The clearing of the reclassification applications processed under earlier mechanisms – such as the Equivalents Record Form (ERF), MEC Order No. 10, s. 1979, and DepEd Order No. 97, s. 2011 – forms part of the Department’s transition toward the full implementation of the ECP System.

The milestone was achieved through strong inter-agency collaboration between DepEd, led by Secretary Sonny Angara, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under Acting Secretary Rolando U. Toledo, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize teachers’ welfare and professional development.

“This is more than achieving numbers. This is about our sustained efforts to ensure our educators receive the recognition they truly deserve. Following President Bongbong Marcos’ directive, we are accelerating the ECP system to make sure no public school teacher ever retires at the entry-level rank of Teacher I,” Angara said.

In parallel, the Department is advancing with school leadership reforms. DepEd is currently awaiting DBM’s final review and approval of 914 on-stream candidates — including Head Teachers (HTs), Assistant School Principals (ASPs), and Teachers-in-Charge (TICs) — for reclassification to School Principal positions.

With a record PhP6.1 billion allocation for FY 2026, DepEd continues to intensify the rollout of the ECP System, targeting the promotion of over 100,000 public school teachers this year.

These efforts aim to strengthen morale across the teaching force, expand leadership pathways, and ultimately improve learning outcomes for Filipino learners.