Mariano Marcos
State University

For three decades and counting: MMSU remains a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, one of only 13 HEIs recognized with the distinction

By Jareason Fabre

For 30 years, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has remained a leader in teacher education in the Philippines, earning its distinction as a Teacher Education Center of Excellence (COE) anew and joining only 13 higher education institutions nationwide recognized for exemplary performance in preparing future educators.

The recognition of MMSU College of Teacher Education in Laoag as a Regional Center of Excellence was announced online on June 3 by the Teacher Education Council (TEC), the national coordinating body mandated to strengthen and promote excellence in teacher education under Republic Act No. 11713, or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act of 2022.

According to TEC, the 13 designated Teacher Education Centers of Excellence represent the country's highest standards in teacher education and serve as exemplars of academic distinction, innovation, and institutional leadership. The designation carries not only recognition but also a mandate to help lead the continuous advancement of teacher education in the Philippines through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and leadership initiatives.

The designation was approved during the First Council Meeting for 2026 held on June 3 at the Professional Regulation Commission-NCR Office in Quezon City, upon the recommendation of the TEC Secretariat.

For MMSU, the recognition extends a legacy of excellence that began in 1996, when CTE first earned the distinction, making it the university's longest-standing Center of Excellence.

MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. congratulated the College of Teacher Education for maintaining its distinction as a Center of Excellence for nearly three decades.

"The College of Teacher Education holds a special place in our university's history as the first Center of Excellence of MMSU. For almost 30 years, it has consistently upheld the highest standards in teacher education, and we are proud of what the college has achieved," Dr. Manzano said.

He added that the recognition should inspire the rest of the university community to strive for the same level of achievement.

"As we celebrate this milestone, I hope it encourages our other colleges to pursue excellence in their own fields. CTE has shown that with dedication, hard work, and commitment to quality, this distinction can be sustained through the years," he added.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal, who previously served as dean of the College of Teacher Education and remains a faculty member of the college, described the recognition as a validation of the college as one of the country’s normal schools dedicated to providing quality education. 

"Having served as dean of CTE and as a member of its faculty, this recognition is deeply meaningful. It validates the quality of education that we provide and shows the exceptional instruction and services that our faculty offer. It is nothing short of excellence," Dr. Cajigal said.

Meanwhile, CTE Dean Ronald Candy Lasaten said that the designation comes with greater responsibilities for the college and the region it serves.

"As a recognized Center of Excellence, we are expected to lead initiatives that strengthen teacher education throughout the region. We will continue working closely with schools, communities, and educational stakeholders to improve teacher preparation and educational outcomes," Dr. Lasaten said.

He added that the college will continue striving for even higher goals.

"We will not stop here. While we are proud of this recognition, we will continue pursuing greater heights and work toward becoming a nationally recognized model of excellence in teacher education," he said.

The latest recognition adds to a growing list of distinctions earned by MMSU-CTE. In April 2025, the college was honored by the Commission on Higher Education during the Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education (EQUATE) Awards for its sustained performance in teacher education and strong results in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers.

Over the years, MMSU-CTE has consistently produced top-performing graduates in the licensure examination while maintaining strong programs in instruction, research, extension, and community engagement.

Under Republic Act No. 11713, Teacher Education Centers of Excellence are evaluated based on rigorous standards that include faculty qualifications, student and graduate attributes, instruction, research, facilities, student development, teacher preparation, and community engagement.

MMSU is one of just 13 institutions recognized for its role in training pre-service and in-service teachers and improving teacher education in the country. This achievement has been an important part of the university's mission for the community for nearly 30 years.