Angara welcomes new law allowing DepEd teaching flexibility

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed Republic Act 12322, which updates a provision of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 or RA 10533, saying the new law will allow the Department of Education (DepEd) to maintain instructional approaches that are grounded in classroom evidence and field experience.

Under RA 10533, which institutionalized the country’s K to 12 basic education program, concepts in subjects like Science and Mathematics were designed to be revisited across grade levels with increasing complexity.

The new measure, which lapsed into law on Aug. 2, amends Section 5, paragraph (g) of RA 10533 by removing the statutory reference to “spiral progression” and provides opportunities for new pedagogical approaches or strategies in teaching and learning.

Angara said that by removing the requirement for spiral progression, the new law allows Science and Mathematics teachers to adopt mastery-based learning or alternative methods, ensuring learners thoroughly understand foundational concepts before advancing.

“This update is about maintaining the flexibility our curriculum experts and field officers need to address learning gaps. Our focus remains on stability in our schools and ensuring our teaching strategies directly improve learner outcomes,” he said.

He gave assurance that any adjustments to instructional delivery remain subject to thorough review, pedagogical evidence and practical considerations, including textbook supply and teacher training.

The law also mandates a systematic curriculum review at least once every five years. All other core curriculum standards under RA 10533 remain intact.

Loan repayment

Angara has approved extending the maximum loan repayment period for DepEd personnel to seven years from the current five years to ease borrowers’ burden.

The policy update under DepEd Order No. 020, series of 2026 aligns DepEd’s guidelines with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which provides for more flexible loan structures or longer payment periods for salary loans in response to the clamor from teachers and school personnel for financial relief.

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