Edcom 2 supports Tesda professional certification
In a long-awaited reform, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has approved a National Certification (NC) III for Child Development Workers (CDWs), seeking to fortify the Philippine early childhood care and education system.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chair of the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), commended the move, stating that the certification addresses longstanding shortcomings in the qualifications and support for CDWs nationwide. "Many of our CDWs have not been given the tools, training, and remuneration they deserve," Gatchalian remarked. "This certification is a crucial step towards their professionalization, as we strive to bolster the quality of early childhood education."
The commission's Year One Report revealed that nearly 17 percent of CDWs only possess a high school education, and almost 90 percent work under temporary contracts, earning an average wage of P5,000 monthly. These findings underscored Edcom 2's call for reinforcing the foundations of education, including early childhood nutrition, access to early childhood care, and early literacy programs.
Co-chairperson Representative Roman Romulo highlighted the importance of CDWs in resolving the learning crisis. "Improving learning outcomes at later stages hinges on a stable foundation. CDWs are in the frontline, and they merit training, respect, and a clear path to job security," Romulo said. "Equipping them with skills in early childhood education, center management, and child development should translate to better care and instruction for young children."
Edcom 2 attributed the P80 million budgeted for NC III training scholarships to Gatchalian's tenacity in the Senate. The new certification also fulfills provisions under Republic Act 12199 (the ECCD System Act), which promotes advanced standards and continuous development for CDWs and Child Development Teachers.
"This is more than a policy victory—it's an investment in our country's future," Romulo concluded, adding that Edcom 2 would continue championing far-reaching reforms to support frontline education workers from early childhood to K-12.
[Sources: Philippine News Agency]
The newly approved National Certification III for Child Development Workers aligns with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian's call for enhancing education and self-development, as it addresses longstanding qualifications and support issues for CDWs. This policy-and-legislation move is also a response to the findings presented in the Year One Report of the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), which highlighted the need for improving early childhood education. The General News has reported that Edcom 2 will continue advocating for far-reaching reforms, supporting frontline education workers, from early childhood to K-12.
