Teachers’ weekends are supposed to be allotted for their family, talking about what transpired during the week, meeting with relatives and friends, planning for the future, and doing some projects together. But what usually happens is we wake up early to catch up with our classes in graduate school. Some even walk for an hour to reach the bus on the highway then travel for 3-4 hours just to reach the city or other provinces just to attend their classes. Is it worth the sacrifices? Why is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) important and why does it matter?
There are numerous reasons why teachers pursue CPD based on my experience. First, almost 50 percent of the requirements for higher positions involves CPD such as attending special training and workshops, resource speakership, graduate studies, action researches, and published works among others. There are some teachers who have served for ten years without permanent positions because of lack CPD. Secondly, the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 35 series of 2016 or The Learning Action Cell as a K to 12 Basic Education Program School-Based Continuing Professional Development Strategy for the Improvement of Teaching & Learning supports the continuing development of its teaching personnel. Lastly, the full implementation of Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 requires all professionals to have CPD units before they can renew their PRC licenses.
Why are some teachers not into CPD? First, they ould rather spend their time with their family; second, they have a lot of clerical jobs in school; third, they are not given opportunities to attend seminars given by DepEd and fourth, they are already in the field for decades that they have already mastered their craft.
For some teachers, CPD is worth the sacrifice because they are the benefit. They learn are updated on the changing trends and directions in the teaching profession. CPD helps teachers to be more effective in their work, stay interested and be interesting, and most importantly increase their confidence.
As a teacher, continuing professional development is important because it enhances competency in one’s chosen profession. For This should not be underestimated for it is a career-long obligation for practicing professionals. It is a continuous process throughout a professional’s career. Continuing Professional Development should be a lifestyle and part of our system and not because we just want to be promoted. But in cases wherein we are promoted, CPD helps widen our understanding of our professions, our clientele, and our collegaues.
The least that teachers would want to hear from their students is that they did not learn anything from them. Teachers’ skills and knowledge should be enhanced. They need to innovate and be masters of their craft because they contribute a lot to the success of their students.
BY CLARITA E. EDDIO
