SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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*17 MAY-3 P2:05
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. -1432
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
SYNCHRONIZING THE OPENING OF 
SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES
ALL CLASSES IN ALL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Globally, there is a growing recognition of the fundamental importance of 
human capital as the primary force that drives national development. Studies show that 
the quality of a country's human capital is directly proportional to the quality of its 
education.
Consequently, far-reaching reforms in our education system must be undertaken 
in order to ensure the development of our human capital.
In the rankings of the educational institutions of the world, our top universities 
always lag behind our ASEAN counterparts. We, therefore, need to engage with the 
top educational institutions of the world in order to benefit from their experience and 
expertise and hopefully raise the standards of our education.
Majority of the world's top institutions start their academic calendar in August 
or September. And among the members of the ASEAN, only the Philippines follows the 
June-to-March academic calendar. Our engagement with the world's top universities 
will be greatly facilitated with the alignment of our academic calendar with the rest of 
the world.
Hence, this bill proposes the start of the school year on the second Monday of 
August to the second Monday of September, a mere one month difference as opposed 
to the current allowable period of almost three months, from the first Monday of June 
but not later than the last day of August, as provided for under Republic Act No. 7977.
The synchronization of the academic calendar will assist in the conduct of 
research between local and international universities as well as student participation in 
exchange programs designed eventually to benefit local education.
A synchronized local academic calendar aligned with the rest of the world also 
has the following benefits: first, it avoids confusion among the various stakeholders 
(the schools, the students, parents, partner communities, and other institutions and 
entities engaged in education related services; second, it avoids the dire economic 
consequences among sectors or industries which benefit from common break schedule 
of students as well among families engaged in agriculture who need as many helping 
hands as possible; and finally, it eases the burden of parents in having to deal with


multiple school calendars, which are likely to disrupt precious work and family time 
and activities.
We are on the right course when we recognize the fundamental role education 
plays in our national development. However, bold initiatives must be undertaken in 
our education system if we are to compete and thrive with the rest of the world.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
mi)
*17 HAY-3 P 2 ‘05
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 
^  ^  ^
RECEIVED OY.
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
SYNCHRONIZING THE OPENING OF ALL CLASSES IN ALL 
SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enactcii b\j the Semite ami House of Representntives of the Philippines in Congress 
nssi’inbled:
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Section 1. Synchronizing the Start of the School Year. - Any provisions of law to 
the contrary notwithstanding, the start of the school year beginning school year 2018- 
2019 shall be synchronized.
The school year shall start on the second Monday of August but not later than 
the second Monday of September.
In the implementation of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Education 
(DepEd) and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) .shall be 
guided by the provisions of Republic Act No. 7977 insofar as they are not inconsistent 
with this Act.
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Section 2. Iinpleinenting Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd and the CHED in 
coordinaticMi with the associations of private schools shall promulgate the 
corresponding implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days 
from the date of its effectix ity.
Section 3. Repealing and Amendatory Clause. - Republic Act No. 7977 and all 
other laws, decrees, order.s, regulations and policies inconsistent with the pro\ isions of 
this Act are hereby repealed and/or amended accordingly.
Section 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid 
and subsisting.
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Section 5. Effectwity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) new’spapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette,
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whichev^er comes first.
Approi'ed,