08/08/2026
DepEd Welcomes New Law Expanding Teachers’ Flexibility as Angara Pushes Reading, Math and AI Reforms
By Ella Mae Go
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12322, a new measure that gives public school teachers greater flexibility in choosing instructional approaches suited to the needs and circumstances of their learners.
The law amends provisions of the Enhanced Basic Education Act and seeks to provide educators with more room to adapt teaching strategies based on classroom realities, learner diversity and prevailing educational conditions.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the measure comes at a critical time as the agency pursues a broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening foundational learning while preparing Filipino students and teachers for an increasingly digital and artificial intelligence-driven environment.
At the center of the department’s priorities is the improvement of basic reading and mathematics skills, which education officials consider essential to learners’ long-term academic development.
Angara has emphasized the need to address persistent learning gaps while ensuring that digital technology and artificial intelligence are integrated responsibly into the education system.
Under the emerging reforms, DepEd is also expanding digital and online training opportunities for teachers and other education personnel to improve their ability to use technology as a teaching and learning tool.
Focus on foundational learning
The push for stronger literacy and numeracy comes amid continuing concerns over the number of Filipino learners who struggle to meet expected grade-level competencies.
Recent assessments have shown measurable improvements in reading proficiency, but a significant portion of learners continue to fall short of grade-level standards by the end of the school year.
Education advocates and members of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) have repeatedly called for more targeted interventions, particularly for students who remain unable to achieve basic reading proficiency.
They have stressed that simply moving learners from one grade level to another without addressing fundamental learning deficiencies could allow gaps to widen as students advance through the education system.
DepEd’s current reform direction therefore places greater emphasis on early identification of learning difficulties, focused remediation and stronger support for teachers handling struggling learners.
More flexibility for teachers
RA 12322 is expected to strengthen teachers’ ability to adjust instructional methods according to the actual needs of their classrooms.
The measure recognizes that learners differ in their abilities, backgrounds, learning pace and circumstances, making a one-size-fits-all approach less effective in many situations.
Greater instructional flexibility could allow teachers to employ strategies that are more responsive to individual learners while still working within established curriculum standards and learning competencies.
The policy also complements ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and give teachers more time to focus on instruction and professional development.
Strengthening special education
Meanwhile, DepEd has also issued interim promotion and hiring guidelines for Special Needs Education Teachers (SNETs) under the government’s Expanded Career Progression system.
The move is intended to strengthen the teaching workforce serving learners with special educational needs and provide clearer career opportunities for educators working in the field.
Education officials have emphasized the importance of ensuring that reforms cover not only mainstream learners but also children requiring specialized support and interventions.
More time for teacher development
As part of its broader reform program, DepEd is also reviewing academic and administrative arrangements to create more opportunities for teachers to undergo professional development and skills training.
The department is placing particular emphasis on strengthening teachers’ capabilities in foundational education, digital learning and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The goal is to equip educators with the tools necessary to respond to changing classroom demands without losing sight of the basic competencies that students must first master.
For DepEd, the challenge is to strike a balance between preparing learners for the future and ensuring that no child is left behind because of weaknesses in basic reading, writing and mathematics.
With RA 12322 now providing teachers greater room to adapt their teaching approaches, the department is expected to pursue reforms that combine classroom flexibility, stronger foundational learning, teacher development and responsible technology integration.
The reforms underscore DepEd’s continuing effort to address the country’s learning crisis while modernizing the education system for a rapidly changing world.
