THE Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has welcomed interim guidelines from the Department of Education (DepEd) clarifying the implementation of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System for Special Needs Education Teachers (SNET).
The guidance comes while revised qualification standards await final Civil Service Commission (CSC) approval.
Rolled out in 2025, the ECP System reorganized teaching roles, retitling Special Needs Education positions from SPED Teacher I–V to Teacher IV–VII (SNET I–IV) and Master Teacher I (SNET V).
However, varied interpretations across Schools Division Offices (SDOs) led to confusion. While existing rules required no teaching experience for entry-level roles, some SDOs posted openings requiring three years of experience, creating uncertainty around hiring and promotions.
In response to concerns raised during a House Committee on Basic Education and Culture oversight hearing, DepEd issued a memorandum on July 23, 2026 (DM-OUHRODI-2026-2591).
The memorandum directs regional and division offices to temporarily defer publishing and filling vacant and newly created SNET positions until the CSC approves the updated standards.
“Immediate hiring actions using either the existing or proposed position titles may result in inconsistencies with applicable civil service rules and may adversely affect the validity of appointments,” the memorandum stated.
As an interim measure, DepEd clarified that the retitling and reclassification of incumbent SNET teachers will continue under current approved standards.
Around 100 incumbent teachers have already been reclassified. Field offices were also instructed to prepare required documentation so hiring can begin immediately once CSC approval is granted.
The guidance is crucial as DepEd works to address staffing shortages. As of June 2025, there were 787 unfilled SNED positions nationwide.
DepEd Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral recently noted that around 500 newly created positions have been deployed, though appointments remain paused pending CSC concurrence.
EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee welcomed the prompt clarification.
“We hope that DepEd and the Civil Service Commission can complete its process soon so schools can immediately proceed with the hiring of new SNET teachers and ensure that learners with disabilities receive the specialized support they need,” Yee said.