Punong-Guro Program
A two-year leadership journey for aspiring and new school heads, equipping Teacher Leaders with excellence, compassion, and clarity to strengthen school-based management and lead schools that deliver lasting outcomes.
Apply for the Punong-Guro Program
Building the next generation of public school leaders
Strong school leadership shapes teaching quality, school culture, and every child's learning experience, and the Punong-Guro Program (PGP) tackles this challenge by investing in high-potential Teacher Leaders aspiring to school head roles. PGP equips them and newly appointed heads with essential competencies, judgment, values, and skills to lead with excellence, compassion, and clarity, building a pipeline of transformational principals who improve learner outcomes in underserved communities.
Who we are looking for PGP
PGP is designed for high-potential aspiring and newly appointed principals committed to contributing to the DepEd system beyond the two-year program. These educators demonstrate strong leadership potential through their commitment to their personal and professional growth and proven ability to lead change in the school community. PGP provides a clear roadmap to transform them into exceptional school leaders, starting with the most foundational domain: leadership of self.
The school leadership gap
EDCOM II flagged that many schools operate under Teachers-in-Charge or Officers-in-Charge in lieu of fully designated principals. More information here.
55%
of public schools do not have a formally designated school principals
2,882
vacancies in principal positions nationwide
24,480
public schools with Teachers-in-Charge needing standardized training and support
As a School Principal, I believe that true leadership begins with character. I lead with integrity, ensuring that every decision I make is honest, fair, and aligned with the best interests of our students and school community.
Marlon B. Marvilla
Cohort 2025; Principal I of Kalantiyaw Elementary School, Quezon City
Priority Participants
Consistent with the existing DepEd policies on hiring for school heads, potential PGP participants may include DepEd plantilla personnel with any of the following experience/ qualification:
- Already passed the National Qualification Examination for School Heads (NQESH) / National Assessment for School Heads (NASH)
- Less than 1 year as Principal I or Assistant Principal
- At least 1 year being Master Teacher or Head Teacher who plans to take NASH in the next 2 years
- At least 1 year being Officer-in-charge (OIC) or Teacher-in-charge (TIC) in either elementary or secondary who plans to take NASH in the next 2 years
- Teacher IV to Teacher VII who aspires to become school principal
How to Apply
PGP participation is coordinated with participating Schools Division Offices. Cohort formation and selection align with DepEd guidelines for aspiring school heads. For current cohort details, requirements, and timelines, please send us a message at pgp.team@teachforthephilippines.org.