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Republic of the Philippines © ogre AUS O 7 2010

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

18 CONGRESS
. First Regular Session

House Bill No, 3610

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

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
censure 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 Genefit 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 intemational 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.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18 CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3610
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

ANACT
SYNCHRONIZING THE OPENING OF ALL CLASSES IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE
PHILIPPINES

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

Section 1. Synchronizing the Start of the School Year. — Any provisions of law to the
contrary notwithstanding, the start of the school year shall be synchronized in the succeeding school
‘year afier the Act is approved.

‘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.

Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd and the CHED in
coordination 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 effectivity

Section 3. Repealing and Amendatory Clause. ~ Republic Act No. 7977 and all other laws,
decrees, orders, regulations and policies inconsistent with the provisions 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 otifer provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

Section 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.

Approved,