(From DepEd Communications Division)

June 23, 2021 – Some 1,700 senior high school (SHS) teachers hired in 2016, whose provisional appointments are set to expire by July this year, were granted renewal by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Education Undersecretary for Planning and Human Resource and Organization Development Jesus Mateo announced on Friday.

“The Department is grateful to the Commission for considering and granting the appeal of DepEd to renew and extend the provisional appointments of these SHS teachers. This will further ensure unhampered delivery of learning and continuous teaching services of our SHS provisional teachers to our learners,” Secretary Leonor Briones said.

As early as February, DepEd appealed to CSC to allow the renewal of some 1,700 SHS teachers who were first hired in 2016 whose provisional appointments will expire by the end of SY 2020-2021, pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 which allows them to teach in the SHS provided they pass the LEPT within five years.

Since the first implementation of the SHS in 2016, the Department hired non-LEPT graduates of science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, music, and other degree courses in the absence of qualified LEPT eligible to teach in specialized subjects SHS. Under existing CSC rules and regulations, these appointees are hired under provisional appointments for a period allowable by law. Provisional appointments are issued to an appointee who meets all the requirements of the position except for the eligibility but only in the absence of a qualified, eligible candidate who is available and willing to accept the appointment, as certified by the Schools Division Superintendents.

The CSC Resolution No. 2100451 dated June 15, 2021, shall serve as standing policy to extend the appointments of the affected SHS provisional teachers for another school year; provided they show proof that they have previous attempt to acquire eligibility in the last five years and that there is no available LEPT eligible applicants in the Division. As such, the provisional appointee to be renewed is subject to termination should a qualified LEPT eligible applicant becomes available and willing to teach in the relevant specialized subjects.

PR-2021-173

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