PRC sets licensure exam for teachers in HK

OFWs who successfully passed the 2016 licensure exam for teachers here in HK pose before they take their oath at the consulate. (File photo)

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has scheduled the next Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) for Professional Teachers here in Hong Kong on September 30 as the number applicants nearly doubled compared to last year.

Gloria S. Varquez, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officer in charge of exam applications, said 818 overseas Filipino workers had signified their intention to take the test, or nearly double the 460 examinees last year.

“We even have an applicant from mainland China who learned about the exam although she had no access to Facebook. We also had applicants from Macau last year,” Varquez said.

She said those interested in taking the test, which is expected to be held at the Delia school in Tung Chung, should register on the PRC website (www.prc.gov.ph).

The deadline for the online registration is on July 20 while applicants have until August 5 to submit the required documents at the POLO in Wan Chai.

Varquez said the required documents include photocopies of the applicant’s Transcript of Records, Philippine passport, and two passport-size pictures “with complete name tag and white background.”

There is also a P2,200 fee. Varquez said applicants can ask a friend or family member back in the Philippines to pay through LandBank or at any PRC office.

“She/he has to send the reference number to a friend/relative or any represent
ative in the Philippines to pay the prescribed fee in any PRC cashier at any PRC office,” a PRC officer said.

Last year, 60 OFWs passed the teachers’ exams held here in HK. Those who did not pass can try again this year.

President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to raise the salaries of public school teachers even as he acknowledged that he cannot double their pay.

“I promise: Your salary will be raised soon. We’ve been trying to come up with a progressive (increase),” Mr. Duterte said.

For his part, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara expressed full support for Duterte’s plan to increase the salary of public school teachers.

“We support 100 percent the President’s plan to raise the salary of our public school teachers. They are among the most underpaid workers, given their workload and role in the society,” Angara said.

“Teachers are heralded as molders of our children’s future and second parents, and yet, they receive a basic salary that does not equate to their contribution,” he added.

Angara’s Senate Bill No. 135 seeks to upgrade the minimum salary grade level of teachers from Salary Grade 11 to 19— doubling their current monthly base pay from P20,179 to P42,099.