‘98% of Physical Sciences teachers teach outside their specialization’ — EDCOM 2

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) raised concern over the mismatch between high school teachers’ fields of specialization and the subjects they teach, based on Department of Education (DepEd) data. 

In a recent report, EDCOM 2 highlighted the mismatch between teachers’ specializations and teaching assignments, with Physical Sciences recording the highest rate at 98%, followed by Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP)/Values Education at 94%, underscoring the need for stronger teacher preparation and support. 

“Sa high school, halos lahat ng Values Ed classes ay hawak ng mga gurong na-assign lang sa subject kahit hindi ito ang specialization nila,” EDCOM 2 said.

The data showed that Physical Sciences had the highest specialization mismatch rate among the five subject areas presented, with only 2% of teachers matched to the subject in terms of specialization, followed by ESP/Values Education, where only 6% were matched.

Physical Sciences covers subjects such as physics and chemistry, which deal with matter, energy, motion, and the properties of substances. Teachers specializing in these fields are expected to have the relevant academic background to teach the concepts effectively.

Other subject areas also recorded high mismatch rates:

• Biological Sciences: 80%
• Agriculture and Fisheries: 70%
• Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH): 70%

EDCOM 2 emphasized that specialization mismatches do not necessarily reflect teachers’ dedication or competence,  recognizing the efforts of educators who continue to teach subjects outside their areas of expertise.

“Hindi ito problema ng sipag o galing ng mga guro. Ang dami nilang ginagawa para matuto ang mga bata kahit labas ito sa field nila. Pero kung seryoso tayo sa paghubog ng values ng kabataan, dapat seryoso rin tayo sa paghahanda at pagsuporta sa mga nagtuturo nito,” the commission said in a Facebook post.

The figures highlight the gap between teachers’ academic specializations and their teaching assignments, with Physical Sciences and ESP/Values Education emerging as the two subject areas with the highest mismatch rates in the data.

EDCOM 2 reiterated that addressing the mismatch goes beyond teachers’ ability to adapt to unfamiliar subjects, emphasizing the need for adequate preparation and support for educators handling classes outside their fields of specialization.