Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To identify and designate among existing private and public schools, teacher education institutions as Centers of Excellence for Teacher Education, at the national, regional, and provincial levels;

(b) To formulate policies and standards that shall strengthen and improve the system of teacher education in all existing public and private schools;

(c) Initiate a periodic review of curricula and programs for teacher education and training through participatory methods, such as self-assessment by institutions;

(d) To adopt an adequate and effective system of incentives such as scholarship grants, loan programs, subsidies, stipends and other similar benefits and incentives, in order to attract and encourage outstanding high school graduates whether from public or private schools, to pursue teacher education;

(e) To encourage the establishment of consortia and other cooperative arrangements among teacher education schools, public or private, for greater efficiency and economy in the use of resources;

(f) Design collaborative programs or projects that will enhance pre-service teacher training, in-service training, re-training, orientation, and teacher development;

(g) To direct the conduct of relevant studies as may be needed in the formulation of policies and in the planning and successful implementation of plans, programs and projects required in attaining the purposes of this Act;

(h) To review existing and recommend new legislation and policies of the government in order to improve teacher education and promote the welfare of teachers;

(i) To recommend appropriate measures to the President, Congress, and heads of other government offices and agencies to improve, enhance and strengthen teacher education; and

(j) To call upon any department, bureau, office, or government corporation, local government unit and other concerned agencies for assistance in areas falling within their mandate.