Public school teachers and school heads in Cebu City can pursue master’s or doctoral degrees without paying tuition and other authorized school fees under a new city scholarship program.
Mayor Nestor Archival institutionalized the Cebu City Government Master’s and Doctoral Degrees Scholarship Program for Teachers and School Heads, also known as “Empowering Educators,” through Executive Order No. 095 signed on Aug. 13, 2026.
The program will provide qualified public school educators with full tuition assistance, including thesis and dissertation fees, subject to available funds and the city’s partnership arrangements with participating higher education institutions.
In return, scholars must serve in the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division for at least one year for every year they receive the scholarship.
The program covers public school teachers at the elementary and secondary levels, as well as principals, head teachers, Education Program Supervisors, Public Schools District Supervisors and Education Program Specialists with teaching experience.
Applicants must be bona fide DepEd Cebu City personnel with at least three years of public school teaching experience.
Master’s degree applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, while those applying for doctoral programs must have a master’s degree.
Applicants must also have at least a Very Satisfactory performance rating, good moral character and admission to or enrollment in a Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-recognized institution.
The Cebu City College Scholarship Program Office will implement the program in partnership with the DepEd Cebu City Division.
Current partner institutions identified in the executive order are the University of Cebu, Cebu Technological University, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of the Visayas and Cebu Institute of Technology–University.
The city may also enter into partnerships with other recognized higher education or teacher education institutions.
Scholars must maintain good academic standing, meet their schools’ requirements and complete their programs within two years for master’s degrees and three years for doctoral degrees.
They must also submit periodic grade reports or certifications of academic progress to the scholarship office and DepEd Cebu City Division.
The program imposes a Return Service Obligation (RSO) equivalent to at least one year of service for every year covered by the scholarship.
A scholar who receives assistance for one year must render one year of service, while those who receive two or three years of assistance must serve for two or three years, respectively.
Scholars who voluntarily withdraw, fail to complete their studies or fail to fulfill the return-service obligation without a valid reason must refund the full amount of financial assistance received, plus applicable legal interest.
The city may also terminate a scholarship for academic failure, misconduct, violations of institutional or government policies, unauthorized withdrawal or other justifiable causes.
The Cebu City College Scholarship Program Office will issue a public call for applications.
Applicants must submit an accomplished application form, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, performance rating, transcript of records and two recent 2x2 photographs.
The Cebu City College Scholarship Program Committee will screen applicants based on their service record, teaching experience, age and leadership potential.
Approved scholars will sign a scholarship contract and attend an orientation before enrollment.
The executive order does not specify the number of scholarship slots or the total program allocation.
Funding will come from the Cebu City general fund, particularly the Education/Scholarship Fund, and other authorized appropriations, subject to government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules.
The city will monitor scholars’ academic progress through periodic evaluations, including graduate tracer studies and impact assessments two to three years after they complete their degrees.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Star
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