About 2,649 public school educators have been promoted in the Davao region under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) program, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the welfare of public school teachers and advance quality education in the Philippines.

The mass oath-taking ceremony was led by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on March 5.

The promotions cover positions from Teacher II to Teacher VII; Master Teacher I to Master Teacher V; and School Principal I to School Principal IV.

In a news release Friday, Angara said the ECP remains a key priority in the agency’s education reforms.

“We must ensure that the very foundation of education remains strong – and one way to do that is by further reinforcing and empowering the workforce of the basic education system,” he said.

Angara lauded the efforts of DepEd’s teaching and non-teaching personnel in the region as they joined the oath-taking ceremony.

“Kinikilala natin ang sakripisyo at walang sawang dedikasyon ng ating mga guro at school heads sa pagsusulong ng dekalidad na edukasyon sa ating bansa (We recognize the sacrifices and relentless dedication of our teachers and school heads in advancing quality education in the country),” he said.

Of the total, 456 were from Davao Oriental; 391 from Davao del Norte; 358 from Panabo City; 344 from Davao de Oro; 283 from the Island Garden City of Samal; 237 from Mati City; 195 from Digos City; 172 from Davao City; 123 from Davao del Sur; 69 from Tagum City; and 21 from Davao Occidental.

Meanwhile, Angara led the blessing of the new Schools Division Office in Davao de Oro.

The new office will serve 7,615 teaching and 739 non-teaching personnel, supporting 204,682 learners from 456 schools across the province. (PNA)