ARTICLE XIV – ARTICLE XIV

THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORTS

EDUCATION

Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at
all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Section 2. The State shall:

(1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of
education relevant to the needs of the people and society;

(2) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high
school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children, elementary
education is compulsory for all children of school age;

(3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies,
and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private
schools, especially to the underprivileged;

(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-
learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to
community needs; and

(5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics,
vocational efficiency, and other skills.

Section 3. (1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part
of the curricula.

(2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for
human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the
country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values,
develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking,
broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.

(3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be allowed
to be taught to their children or wards in public elementary and high schools within the
regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of the
religion to which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to the Government.

Section 4.(1) The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions
in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all
educational institutions.
(2) Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups and mission
boards, shall be owned solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations or associations
at least sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by such citizens. The Congress may,
however, require increased Filipino equity participation in all educational institutions.

The control and administration of educational institutions shall be vested in citizens of the
Philippines.

No educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens and no group of aliens
shall comprise more than one-third of the enrollment in any school. The provisions of this
subsection shall not apply to schools established for foreign diplomatic personnel and their
dependents and, unless otherwise provided by law, for other foreign temporary residents.

(3) All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used actually,
directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
Upon the dissolution or cessation of the corporate existence of such institutions, their assets
shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law.

Proprietary educational institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may likewise be

entitled to such exemptions, subject to the limitations provided by law, including restrictions
on dividends and provisions for reinvestment.

(4) Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants, endowments, donations, or

contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be
exempt from tax.

Section 5. (1) the State shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and conditions
and shall encourage local planning in the development of educational policies and programs.

(2) Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.

(3) Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject to fair,
reasonable, and equitable admission and academic requirements.

(4) The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. Non-teaching
academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the State.

(5) The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that
teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through
adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

LANGUAGE

Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further
developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.
Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government
shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official
communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.

Section 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the
Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.

The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as
auxiliary media of instruction therein.

Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis.

Section 8. This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English and shall be
translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.

Section 9. The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of

representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake, coordinate, and
promote researches for the development, propagation, and preservation of Filipino and
other languages.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Section 10. Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The
State shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services. It shall support
indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their
application to the country’s productive systems and national life.

Section 11. The Congress may provide for incentives, including tax deductions, to encourage
private participation in programs of basic and applied scientific research. Scholarships,
grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives shall be provided to deserving science students,
researchers, scientists, inventors, technologists, and specially gifted citizens.

Section 12. The State shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of technology
from all sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of private
groups, local governments, and community-based organizations in the generation and
utilization of science and technology.

Section 13. The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors,
artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly
when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Section 14. The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a
Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic
and intellectual expression.

Section 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve,
promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well
as artistic creations.

Section 16. All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of
the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition.

Section 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural
communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall
consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

Section 18. (1) The State shall ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the
educational system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants and other
incentives, and community cultural centers, and other public venues.

(2) The State shall encourage and support researches and studies on the arts and culture.

SPORTS

Section 19. (1) The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs,
league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions,
to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert
citizenry.

(2) All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the
country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9293]

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SEVENTY-EIGHT

HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX (R.A. NO. 7836), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE
TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 15, (e) (3) of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as follows:

“SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. – No applicant shall be admitted to take

the examination unless, on the date of filing of the application, he shall have complied with
the following requirements:

“(e) A graduate of a school, college or university recognized by the government and

possesses the minimum educational qualifications, as follows:

(1) For teachers in preschool, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (BECED) or
its equivalent;

(2) For teachers in the elementary grades, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education
(BSEED) or its equivalent;

(3) For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent
with a major and minor, or a bachelor degree in arts and sciences with at least eighteen (18)
units in professional education; and

(4) For teachers of vocational and two-year technical courses, a bachelor’s degree in the field
of specialization or its equivalent, with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education.”

SEC 2. Section 26 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 26. Registration and Exception. – No person shall engage in teaching and/or act as a
professional teacher as defined in this Act, whether in the preschool, elementary or
secondary level, unless the person is a duly registered professional teacher, and a holder of
a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license or a holder of a valid
special/temporary permit.

Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fees, the certificate of
registration and professional license as a professional teacher shall be issued without
examination as required in this Act to a qualified applicant, who is:

(a) A holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the Civil Service Commission
and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports; or

(b) A registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers under the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) pursuant to Presidential Decree No.
1006.

Professional teachers who have not practiced their profession for the past five (5) years shall
take at least twelve (12) units of education courses, consisting of at least six (6) units of
pedagogy and six (6) units of content courses, or the equivalent training and number of
hours, to be chosen from a list of courses to be provided by the Board and the Department of
Education, before they can be allowed to practice their profession in the country.

Those who have failed the licensure examination for professional teachers, with a rating of
not lower than five percentage points from the passing general average rating, shall be
eligible as para-teachers upon issuance by the Board of a two-year special permit, renewable
for a non-extendible period of two (2) years. The para-teachers shall be assigned to areas
where there is a shortage or absence of a professional teacher, as identified and provided by
the Department of Education and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
education department to the Board for professional teachers and to the Commission. The
special permit shall indicate the area of assignment of the para-teacher.

A special permit may also be issued by the Board to a person who has excelled and gained
international recognition and is a widely acknowledged expert in his or her respective field
of specialization.”
SEC 3. Section 31 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 31. Transitory Provision. – Special permits, with a validity of three (3) and five (5)
years, issued to para-teachers by the Board for Professional Teachers before the effectivity
of this Act shall be allowed to expire based on the period granted therein: Provided, That
only special permits with a validity of three (3) years may be renewed upon expiration for a
non-extendible period of two (2) years.”

SEC 4. References to the term “Department of Education, Culture and Sports”, in section 4 (a)
and section 25, and the term “DECS” in section 20, of the same Act, are hereby amended to
read as “Department of Education” and “DepEd”, respectively.

SEC 5. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act or the
application of such section or provision to any person or circumstance is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, no other section or provision of this Act shall be affected thereby.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, circulars, administrative orders, rules and regulations,
and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereb

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REPUBLIC ACT No. 4670 June 18, 1966

THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

I. DECLARATION OF POLICY COVERAGE

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this Act to promote and improve
the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working conditions, their terms
of employment and career prospects in order that they may compare favorably with existing
opportunities in other walks of life, attract and retain in the teaching profession more people with the
proper qualifications, it being recognized that advance in education depends on the qualifications and
ability of the teaching staff and that education is an essential factor in the economic growth of the
nation as a productive investment of vital importance.

Section 2. Title Definition. This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for Public School Teachers" and
shall apply to all public school teachers except those in the professorial staff of state colleges and
universities.

As used in this Act, the term "teacher" shall mean all persons engaged in classroom teaching, in any level
of instruction, on full-time basis, including guidance counselors, school librarians, industrial arts or
vocational instructors, and all other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in
all schools, colleges and universities operated by the Government or its political subdivisions; but shall
not include school nurses, school physicians, school dentists, and other school employees.

II. RECRUITMENT AND CAREER

Section 3. Recruitment and Qualification. Recruitment policy with respect to the selection and
appointment of teachers shall be clearly defined by the Department of Education: Provided, however,
That effective upon the approval of this Act, the following shall constitute the minimum educational
qualifications for teacher-applicants:

(a) For teachers in the kindergarten and elementary grades, Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education
(B.S.E.ED.);

(b) For teachers of the secondary schools, Bachelor's degree in Education or its equivalent with a major
and a minor; or a Bachelor's degree in Arts or Science with at least eighteen professional units in
Education.
(c) For teachers of secondary vocational and two years technical courses, Bachelor's degree in the field
of specialization with at least eighteen professional units in education;

(d) For teachers of courses on the collegiate level, other than vocational, master's degree with a specific
area of specialization;

Provided, further, That in the absence of applicants who possess the minimum educational
qualifications as hereinabove provided, the school superintendent may appoint, under a temporary
status, applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications: Provided, further, That should teacher-
applicants, whether they possess the minimum educational qualifications or not, be required to take
competitive examinations, preference in making appointments shall be in the order of their respective
ranks in said competitive examinations: And provided, finally, That the results of the examinations shall
be made public and every applicant shall be furnished with his score and rank in said examinations.

Section 4. Probationary Period. When recruitment takes place after adequate training and professional
preparation in any school recognized by the Government, no probationary period preceding regular
appointment shall be imposed if the teacher possesses the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided,
however, That where, due to the exigencies of the service, it is necessary to employ as teacher a person
who possesses the minimum educational qualifications herein above set forth but lacks the appropriate
civil service eligibility, such person shall be appointed on a provisional status and shall undergo a period
of probation for not less than one year from and after the date of his provisional appointment.

Section 5. Tenure of Office. Stability on employment and security of tenure shall be assured the teachers
as provided under existing laws.

Subject to the provisions of Section three hereof, teachers appointed on a provisional status for lack of
necessary civil service eligibility shall be extended permanent appointment for the position he is holding
after having rendered at least ten years of continuous, efficient and faithful service in such position.

Section 6. Consent for Transfer Transportation Expenses. Except for cause and as herein otherwise
provided, no teacher shall be transferred without his consent from one station to another.

Where the exigencies of the service require the transfer of a teacher from one station to another, such
transfer may be effected by the school superintendent who shall previously notify the teacher
concerned of the transfer and the reason or reasons therefor. If the teacher believes there is no
justification for the transfer, he may appeal his case to the Director of Public Schools or the Director of
Vocational Education, as the case may be. Pending his appeal and the decision thereon, his transfer shall
be held in abeyance: Provided, however, That no transfers whatever shall be made three months before
any local or national election.

Necessary transfer expenses of the teacher and his family shall be paid for by the Government if his
transfer is finally approved.

Section 7. Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers. Within six months from the approval of this Act,
the Secretary of Education shall formulate and prepare a Code of Professional Conduct for Public School
Teachers. A copy of the Code shall be furnished each teacher: Provided, however, That where this is not
possible by reason of inadequate fiscal resources of the Department of Education, at least three copies
of the same Code shall be deposited with the office of the school principal or head teacher where they
may be accessible for use by the teachers.

Section 8. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedure. Every teacher shall enjoy equitable safeguards at each
stage of any disciplinary procedure and shall have:

a. the right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;

b. the right to full access to the evidence in the case;

c. the right to defend himself and to be defended by a representative of his choice and/or by his
organization, adequate time being given to the teacher for the preparation of his defense; and

d. the right to appeal to clearly designated authorities.

No publicity shall be given to any disciplinary action being taken against a teacher during the pendency
of his case.

Section 9. Administrative Charges. Administrative charges against a teacher shall be heard initially by a
committee composed of the corresponding School Superintendent of the Division or a duly authorized
representative who should at least have the rank of a division supervisor, where the teacher belongs, as
chairman, a representative of the local or, in its absence, any existing provincial or national teacher's
organization and a supervisor of the Division, the last two to be designated by the Director of Public
Schools. The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Director of Public Schools
within thirty days from the termination of the hearings: Provided, however, That where the school
superintendent is the complainant or an interested party, all the members of the committee shall be
appointed by the Secretary of Education.

Section 10. No Discrimination. There shall be no discrimination whatsoever in entrance to the teaching
profession, or during its exercise, or in the termination of services, based on other than professional
consideration.

Section 11. Married Teachers. Whenever possible, the proper authorities shall take all steps to enable
married couples, both of whom are public school teachers, to be employed in the same locality.

Section 12. Academic Freedom. Teachers shall enjoy academic freedom in the discharge of their
professional duties, particularly with regard to teaching and classroom methods.

III. HOURS OF WORK AND REMUNERATION

Section 13. Teaching Hours. Any teacher engaged in actual classroom instruction shall not be required to
render more than six hours of actual classroom teaching a day, which shall be so scheduled as to give
him time for the preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to his normal
teaching duties: Provided, however, That where the exigencies of the service so require, any teacher
may be required to render more than six hours but not exceeding eight hours of actual classroom
teaching a day upon payment of additional compensation at the same rate as his regular remuneration
plus at least twenty-five per cent of his basic pay.

Section 14. Additional Compensation. Notwithstanding any provision of existing law to the contrary, co-
curricula and out of school activities and any other activities outside of what is defined as normal duties
of any teacher shall be paid an additional compensation of at least twenty-five per cent of his regular
remuneration after the teacher has completed at least six hours of actual classroom teaching a day.

In the case of other teachers or school officials not engaged in actual classroom instruction, any work
performed in excess of eight hours a day shall be paid an additional compensation of at least twenty-five
per cent of their regular remuneration.

The agencies utilizing the services of teachers shall pay the additional compensation required under this
section.1âшphi1 Education authorities shall refuse to allow the rendition of services of tea
V. LEAVE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Section 24. Study Leave. In addition to the leave privileges now enjoyed by teachers in the public
schools, they shall be entitled to study leave not exceeding one school year after seven years of service.
Such leave shall be granted in accordance with a schedule set by the Department of Education. During
the period of such leave, the teachers shall be entitled to at least sixty per cent of their monthly salary:
Provided, however, That no teacher shall be allowed to accumulate more than one year study leave,
unless he needs an additional semester to finish his thesis for a graduate study in education or allied
courses: Provided, further, That no compensation shall be due the teacher after the first year of such
leave. In all cases, the study leave period shall be counted for seniority and pension purposes.

The compensation allowed for one year study leave as herein provided shall be subject to the condition
that the teacher takes the regular study load and passes at least seventy-five per cent of his courses.
Study leave of more than one year may be permitted by the Secretary of Education but without
compensation.

Section 25. Indefinite Leave. An indefinite sick leave of absence shall be granted to teachers when the
nature of the illness demands a long treatment that will exceed one year at the least.

Section 26. Salary Increase upon Retirement. Public school teachers having fulfilled the age and service
requirements of the applicable retirement laws shall be given one range salary raise upon retirement,
which shall be the basis of the computation of the lump sum of the retirement pay and the monthly
benefits thereafter.

VI. TEACHER'S ORGANIZATION

Section 27. Freedom to Organize. Public school teachers shall have the right to freely and without
previous authorization both to establish and to join organizations of their choosing, whether local or
national to further and defend their interests.

Section 28. Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited. The rights established in the immediately
preceding Section shall be exercised without any interference or coercion. It shall be unlawful for any
person to commit any acts of discrimination against teachers which are calculated to (a) make the
employment of a teacher subject to the condition that he shall not join an organization, or shall
relinquish membership in an organization,
(b) to cause the dismissal of or otherwise prejudice a teacher by reason of his membership in an
organization or because of participation in organization activities outside school hours, or with the
consent of the proper school authorities, within school hours, and (c) to prevent him from carrying out
the duties laid upon him by his position in the organization, or to penalize him for an action undertaken
in that capacity.

Section 29. National Teacher's Organizations. National teachers' organizations shall be consulted in the
formulation of national educational policies and professional standards, and in the formulation of
national policies governing the social security of the teachers.

VII. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Section 30. Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Education shall formulate and prepare the necessary
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to
this Section shall take effect thirty days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and by
such other means as the Secretary of Education deems reasonably sufficient to give interested parties
general notice of such issuance.

Section 31. Budgetary Estimates. The Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress annually the
necessary budgetary estimates to implement the provisions of the Act concerning the benefits herein
granted to public school teachers under the employ of the National Government.

Section 32. Penal Provision. A person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any teacher in
the exercise of his rights guaranteed by this Act or who shall in any other manner commit any act to
defeat any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one
hundred pesos nor more than one thousand pesos, or by imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a public official, the court shall order his dismissal from the Government service.

Section 33. Repealing Clause. All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders and their implementing rules
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 34. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act
or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and in effect.
Section 35. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533]

AN ACT ENHANCING THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM BY STRENGTHENING ITS CURRICULUM
AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YEARS FOR BASIC EDUCATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate,
and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people, the country and society-at-
large.

Likewise, it is hereby declared the policy of the State that every graduate of basic education shall be an
empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational
principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence
to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global
communities, the capability to engage in autonomous, creative, and critical thinking, and the capacity
and willingness to transform others and one’s self.

For this purpose, the State shall create a functional basic education system that will develop productive
and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies, skills and values for both life-long
learning and employment. In order to achieve this, the State shall:

(a) Give every student an opportunity to receive quality education that is globally competitive based on
a pedagogically sound curriculum that is at par with international standards;

(b) Broaden the goals of high school education for college preparation, vocational and technical career
opportunities as well as creative arts, sports and entrepreneurial employment in a rapidly changing and
increasingly globalized environment; and
(c) Make education learner-oriented and responsive to the needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, the
circumstances and diversity of learners, schools and communities through the appropriate languages of
teaching and learning, including mother tongue as a learning resource.

SEC. 3. Basic Education. — Basic education is intended to meet basic learning needs which provides the
foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. It encompasses kindergarten, elementary and
secondary education as well as alternative learning systems for out-of-school learners and those with
special needs.

SEC. 4. Enhanced Basic Education Program. — The enhanced basic education program encompasses at
least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6) years of elementary education, and six (6) years of
secondary education, in that sequence. Secondary education includes four (4) years of junior high school
and two (2) years of senior high school education.

Kindergarten education shall mean one (1) year of preparatory education for children at least five (5)
years old as a prerequisite for Grade I.

Elementary education refers to the second stage of compulsory basic education which is composed of
six (6) years. The entrant age to this level is typically six (6) years old.

Secondary education refers to the third stage of compulsory basic education. It consists of four (4) years
of junior high school education and two (2) years of senior high school education. The entrant age to the
junior and senior high school levels are typically twelve (12) and sixteen (16) years old, respectively.

Basic education shall be delivered in languages understood by the learners as the language plays a
strategic role in shaping the formative years of learners.

For kindergarten and the first three (3) years of elementary education, instruction, teaching materials
and assessment shall be in the regional or native language of the learners. The Department of Education
(DepED) shall formulate a mother language transition program from Grade 4 to Grade 6 so that Filipino
and English shall be gradually introduced as languages of instruction until such time when these two (2)
languages can become the primary languages of instruction at the secondary level.

For purposes of this Act, mother language or first Language (LI) refers to language or languages first
learned by a child, which he/she identifies with, is identified as a native language user of by others,
which he/she knows best, or uses most. This includes Filipino sign language used by individuals with
pertinent disabilities. The regional or native language refers to the traditional speech variety or variety
of Filipino sign language existing in a region, area or place.

SEC. 5. Curriculum Development. — The DepED shall formulate the design and details of the enhanced
basic education curriculum. It shall work with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to craft
harmonized basic and tertiary curricula for the global competitiveness of Filipino graduates. To ensure
college readiness and to avoid remedial and duplication of basic education subjects, the DepED shall
coordinate with the CHED and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

To achieve an effective enhanced basic education curriculum, the DepED shall undertake consultations
with other national government agencies and other stakeholders including, but not limited to, the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the
private and public schools associations, the national student organizations, the national teacher
organizations, the parents-teachers associations and the chambers of commerce on matters affecting
the concerned stakeholders.

The DepED shall adhere to the following standards and principles in developing the enhanced basic
education curriculum:

(a) The curriculum shall be learner-centered, inclusive and developmentally appropriate;

(b) The curriculum shall be relevant, responsive and research-based;

(c) The curriculum shall be culture-sensitive;

(d) The curriculum shall be contextualized and global;

(e) The curriculum shall use pedagogical approaches that are constructivist, inquiry-based, reflective,
collaborative and integrative;

(f) The curriculum shall adhere to the principles and framework of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual
Education (MTB-MLE) which starts from where the learners are and from what they already knew
proceeding from the known to the unknown; instructional materials and capable teachers to implement
the MTB-MLE curriculum shall be available;
(g) The curriculum shall use the spiral progression approach to ensure mastery of knowledge and skills
after each level; and

(h) The curriculum shall be flexible enough to enable and allow schools to localize, indigenize and
enhance the same based on their respective educational and social contexts. The production and
development of locally produced teaching materials shall be encouraged and approval of these
materials shall devolve to the regional and division education units.

SEC. 6. Curriculum Consultative Committee. — There shall be created a curriculum consultative

committee chaired by the DepED Secretary or his/her duly authorized representative and with members
composed of, but not limited to, a representative each from the CHED, the TESDA, the DOLE, the PRC,
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and a representative from the business chambers
such as the Information Technology – Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry association. The
consultative committee shall oversee the review and evaluation on the implementation of the basic
education curriculum and may recommend to the DepED the formulation of necessary refinements in
the curriculum.

SEC. 7. Teacher Education and Training. — To ensure that the enhanced basic education program meets
the demand for quality teachers and school leaders, the DepED and the CHED, in collaboration with
relevant partners in government, academe, industry, and nongovernmental organizations, shall conduct
teacher education and training programs, as specified:

(a) In-service Training on Content and Pedagogy — Current DepED teachers shall be retrained to meet
the content and performance standards of the new K to 12 curriculum.

The DepED shall ensure that private education institutions shall be given the opportunity to avail of such
training.

(b) Training of New Teachers. — New graduates of the current Teacher Education curriculum shall
undergo additional training, upon hiring, to upgrade their skills to the content standards of the new
curriculum. Furthermore, the CHED, in coordination with the DepED and relevant stakeholders, shall
ensure that the Teacher Education curriculum offered in these Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) will
meet necessary quality standards for new teachers. Duly recognized organizations acting as TEIs, in
coordination with the DepED, the CHED, and other relevant stakeholders, shall ensure that the
curriculum of these organizations meet the necessary quality standards for trained teachers.
(c) Training of School Leadership. — Superintendents, principals, subject area coordinators and other
instructional school lead (c) Training of School Leadership. — Superintendents, principals, subject area
coordinators and other instructional school leaders shall likewise undergo workshops and training to
enhance their skills on their role as academic, administrative and community leaders.

Henceforth, such professional development programs as those stated above shall be initiated and
conducted regularly throughout the school year to ensure constant upgrading of teacher skills.

SEC. 8. Hiring of Graduates of Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering and Other Specialists in
Subjects With a Shortage of Qualified Applicants, Technical-Vocational Courses and Higher Education
Institution Faculty. — Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 26, 27 and 28 of Republic Act No.
7836, otherwise known as the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994”, the DepED and
private education institutions shall hire, as may be relevant to the particular subject:

(a) Graduates of science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, music and other degree courses with
shortages in qualified Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) applicants to teach in their specialized
subjects in the elementary and secondary education. Qualified LET applicants shall also include
graduates admitted by foundations duly recognized for their expertise in the education sector and who
satisfactorily complete the requirements set by these organizations: Provided, That they pass the LET
within five (5) years after their date of hiring: Provided, further, That if such graduates are willing to
teach on part-time basis, the provisions of LET shall no longer be required;

(b) Graduates of technical-vocational courses to teach in their specialized subjects in the secondary
education: Provided, That these graduates possess the necessary certification issued by the TESDA:
Provided, further, That they undergo appropriate in-service training to be administered by the DepED or
higher education institutions (HEIs) at the expense of the DepED;

(c) Faculty of HEIs be allowed to teach in their general education or subject specialties in the secondary
education: Provided, That the faculty must be a holder of a relevant Bachelor’s degree, and must have
satisfactorily served as a full-time HEI faculty;

(d) The DepED and private education institutions may hire practitioners, with expertise in the specialized
learning areas offered by the Basic Education Curriculum, to teach in the secondary level; Provided, That
they teach on part-time basis only. For this purpose, the DepED, in coordination with the appropriate
government agencies, shall determine the necessary qualification standards in hiring these experts.
SEC. 9. Career Guidance and Counselling Advocacy. — To properly guide the students in choosing the
career tracks that they intend to pursue, the DepED, in coordination with the DOLE, the TESDA and the
CHED, shall regularly conduct career advocacy activities for secondary level students. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the “Guidance and
Counselling Act of 2004”, career and employment guidance counsellors, who are not registered and
licensed guidance counsellors, shall be allowed to conduct career advocacy activities to secondary level
students of the school where they are currently employed; Provided, That they undergo a training
program to be developed or accredited by the DepED.

SEC. 10. Expansion of E-GASTPE Beneficiaries. — The benefits accorded by Republic Act No. 8545, or the
“Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act”, shall be
extended to qualified students enrolled under the enhanced basic education.

The DepED shall engage the services of private education institutions and non-DepED schools offering
senior high school through the programs under Republic Act No. 8545, and other financial arrangements
formulated by the DepED and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) based on the
principles of public-private partnership.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Education shall include in the Department’s program the
operationalization of the enhanced basic education program, the initial funding of which shall be
charged against the current appropriations of the DepED. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the
continued implementation of the enhanced basic education program shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Transitory Provisions. — The DepED, the CHED and the TESDA shall formulate the appropriate
strategies and mechanisms needed to ensure smooth transition from the existing ten (10) years basic
education cycle to the enhanced basic education (K to 12) cycle. The strategies may cover changes in
physical infrastructure, manpower, organizational and structural concerns, bridging models linking grade
10 competencies and the entry requirements of new tertiary curricula, and partnerships between the
government and other entities. Modeling for senior high school may be implemented in selected schools
to simulate the transition process and provide concrete data for the transition plan.

To manage the initial implementation of the enhanced basic education program and mitigate the
expected multi-year low enrolment turnout for HEIs and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) starting
School Year 2016-2017, the DepED shall engage in partnerships with HEIs and TVIs for the utilization of
the latter’s human and physical resources. Moreover, the DepED, the CHED, the TESDA, the TVIs and the
HEIs shall coordinate closely with one another to implement strategies that ensure the academic,
physical, financial, and human resource capabilities of HEIs and TVIs to provide educational and training
services for graduates of the enhanced basic education program to ensure that they are not adversely
affected. The faculty of HEIs and TVIs allowed to teach students of secondary education under Section 8
hereof, shall be given priority in hiring for the duration of the transition period. For this purpose, the
transition period shall be provided for in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

SEC. 13. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Enhanced Basic Educational Program (K to 12
Program). — There is hereby created a Joint Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the
implementation of this Act.

The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and from the
House of Representatives, including Chairs of the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture, and
Finance of both Houses. The membership of the Committee for every House shall have at least two (2)
opposition or minority members.

SEC. 14. Mandatory Evaluation and Review. — By the end of School Year 2014-2015, the DepED shall
conduct a mandatory review and submit a midterm report to Congress as to the status of
implementation of the K to 12 program in terms of closing the following current shortages: (a) teachers;
(b) classrooms; (c) textbooks; (d) seats; (e) toilets; and (f) other shortages that should be addressed.

The DepED shall include among others, in this midterm report, the following key metrics of access to
and quality of basic education: (a) participation rate; (b) retention rate; (c) National Achievement Test
results; (d) completion rate; (e) teachers’ welfare and training profiles; (f) adequacy of funding
requirements; and (g) other learning facilities including, but not limited to, computer and science
laboratories, libraries and library hubs, and sports, music and arts.

SEC. 15. Commitment to International Benchmarks. — The DepED shall endeavor to increase the per
capita spending on education towards the immediate attainment of international benchmarks.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act,
the DepED Secretary, the CHED Chairperson and the TESDA Director-General shall promulgate the rules
and regulations needed for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the same
shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or the “Education Act of
1982”, Republic Act No. 9155 or the “Governance of Basic Education.
Act of 2001″, Republic Act No. 9258, Republic Act No. 7836, and all other laws, decrees, executive orders
and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House

of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE

President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3286 and House Bill No. 6643 was finally passed by
the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 30, 2013.

(Sgd.) MARILYN BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

(Sgd.) EDWIN B. BELEN

Acting Senate Secretary

Approved: MAY 15 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines