The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) approved the new National Certification (NC) III for child development workers (CDWS) to professionalize the early childhood care workforce.
“With the NC III for Early Childhood Care and Development, parents and guardians can be confident that our CDWs will gain the competencies needed to help children aged 0-4 in their holistic development,” TESDA Secretary and former Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Commissioner Kiko Benitez said.
The decision follows the enactment of Republic Act 12199 or the ECCD System Act, which calls for improved training, compensation, and professional development for CDWs and child development teachers.
The new certification also responds to EDCOM 2 findings, which revealed gaps in the qualifications and welfare of CDWs.
EDCOM 2’s Year One Report showed that 16.8 percent of CDWs, or 11,414 workers, have only finished high school.
The same report noted that 89 percent of CDWs hold non-permanent positions and earn an average monthly salary of about P5,000, lacking job security and benefits.
In its Year Two Report, EDCOM 2 emphasized the need to “fix the foundations” of education through early nutrition, childhood education, and literacy from Kindergarten to Grade 3.
EDCOM 2 co-chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian successfully lobbied for an P80-million budget allocation in 2025 to support the rollout of NC III.
“We have more than 68,000 CDWs nationwide, many of whom have not been given the tools, training, or compensation that will help them effectively perform their duties,” Gatchalian said.
“This certification is a crucial step toward their professionalization, which will improve both the delivery and quality of ECCD programs and services,” he added.
Under the new TESDA standards, CDWs will undergo training aligned with national guidelines for early childhood education.
Modules will include child development center management, curriculum implementation, and progress assessments for young children.
TESDA also launched a Regional Lead Trainers’ Development Program to prepare qualified trainers for the NC III rollout.
