INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue V, May 2026
framework for teacher development, outlining seven domains that define effective teaching. Recent local studies
(Tindowen et al., 2021; Agbisit et al., 2022) affirm that alignment with PPST indicators enhances instructional
competence and professional accountability. However, despite nationwide implementation, variations remain in
how teaching competence is assessed and how it influences student academic performance.
Regionally, data from the Schools Division of Samar indicate ongoing efforts to strengthen professional
development through In-Service Trainings (INSETs) and Learning Action Cells (LACs). Records show that
during School Year 2021–2022, approximately 58 percent of teachers participated in at least two district-level
INSET programs, increasing to 64 percent in School Year 2022–2023, and 71 percent in School Year 2023–
2024 (SGOD-Samar, 2024). The number of teachers rated at the Proficient career stage likewise increased from
63 percent in School Year 2021–2022 to 70 percent in School Year 2023–2024. Concurrently, National
Achievement Test (NAT) results revealed modest improvement, with proficiency rates rising from 54 percent to
61 percent over the same three-year period. While these figures suggest progress, they also reveal that gains in
teacher competence do not always proportionately translate into substantial increases in student achievement.
At the local level in the District of Calbiga II, classroom observations and administrative reports indicate
discrepancies between teacher self-assessments and administrator evaluations across PPST domains. Teachers
report heavy workloads, multiple ancillary assignments, and limited time for reflective practice, which may
affect instructional quality. Despite increased training participation and moderate integration of technology,
student performance gains remain gradual rather than significant. These realities suggest that while structures
for professional development exist, the direct and measurable relationship between teaching competence and
student academic achievement has not been clearly established within the district.
The research gap, therefore, lies in the limited empirical evidence at the local level examining how teaching
competence, as measured through the PPST framework, correlates with actual student academic outcomes.
While improvements in teacher ratings and training participation have been documented, there is insufficient
statistical analysis determining whether these improvements significantly influence learner performance. This
study seeks to address this gap by analyzing the relationship between teaching competence and student
achievement in the District of Calbiga II during School Year 2025–2026. These localized and data-driven
evidence, and its findings aim to inform policy refinement, targeted interventions, and sustainable professional
development initiatives aligned with national standards.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The quality of education is closely linked to the competence of teachers who facilitate learning and influence
student achievement. Numerous educational scholars have emphasized that teachers play a vital role in shaping
learners’ academic success through effective instructional practices, classroom management, and professional
engagement. In the Philippine educational system, teacher competence is guided by the Philippine Professional
Standards for Teachers (PPST), which serves as the national framework for teacher quality. The PPST articulates
the professional knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes expected of teachers at different career stages and
provides standards for professional development, performance evaluation, and career progression.
Consequently, examining teaching competence in relation to student academic achievement has become
increasingly important in understanding educational effectiveness and improving learning outcomes.
Teacher competence is often influenced by various personal and professional characteristics. Research has
consistently shown that teacher profile variables such as age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, teaching
experience, professional training, and performance ratings contribute to differences in teaching effectiveness.
According to Darling-Hammond (2020), teacher qualifications remain among the most significant school-based
factors affecting student achievement. Teachers who possess higher educational qualifications are generally
exposed to advanced instructional theories, research-based practices, and leadership skills that enable them to
perform more effectively in the classroom. Likewise, Kini and Podolsky (2016) noted that teaching effectiveness
tends to increase with experience as teachers develop stronger classroom management skills, deeper pedagogical
knowledge, and greater confidence in addressing learner needs. These findings suggest that personal and