26 November 2014 – After months of preparations and despite their tight work schedules, 90 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) gathered early in the morning of November 16 at the Terra Sancta School in Tel Aviv-Jaffa to take the first Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers in Israel conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) with the support of the Philippine Embassy.

During the examinations, the PRC was represented by Assistant Secretary for the Professional Regulatory Board Sosita V. Ong and Officer-in-Charge of the Examination Division Rebecca C. Garcia, while the team of proctors from the Embassy was led by Labor Attaché Rodolfo G. Gabasan.

Separate sets of tests, each consisting of 150 multiple-choice type questions, were administered to both elementary and secondary teachers.  The coverage of the examination for elementary teachers included General Education (40%) and Professional Education (60%).  For secondary teachers, the examination categories were also the same, albeit with a different weight distribution at 40% each and with a third additional part pertaining to fields of specialization, making up for the remaining 20%.

Around 100 OFWs initially applied for the examinations. Out of the 96 applicants who received their Notice of Admission from the Embassy on November 14, 90 showed up on the day of the examinations.

According to the PRC, examination results will be released and posted in its official website before the end of this month.

With the success of the first Board Licensure Examination for Teachers in Israel, the Embassy is looking at the possibility of conducting board examinations for Filipino nurses who number more than the teachers.  The Embassy supports the conduct of these examinations as they will empower Filipino workers, giving them a chance to access better opportunities and brighter futures. END