Challenges in the pursuit of promotion among public school teachers in the Philippines

This study explores career stagnation among public school teachers in the Philippines, focusing on those who have remained in Teacher I positions for over a decade. Despite structured promotion pathways by the Department of Educa-tion (DepEd), many teachers struggle to advance. Using a case study approach, data were collected through surveys with 124 purposively selected teachers and a focus group discussion with seven participants. A respondent profile and a brief Swot analysis of the promotion policy were presented. Findings reveal that while promotion policies, administrative support, and professional development are generally viewed as adequate, significant barriers persist. These include exces-sive documentation, unclear evaluation criteria, delays in promotion processes, lack of mentorship, perceived favoritism, limited access to scholarships and ex-ternal training, and funding constraints. Combined with personal challenges such as family obligations and the emotional toll of repeated failed attempts,

these factors hinder teachers' motivation and ability to pursue promotions, highlighting the need for targeted reforms. [Publisher's Text]