Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGH 
THE MANDATORY INCLUSION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 
PROGRAMS IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WITH EXISTING 
BACHELOR  DEGREES IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The importance of early childhood development has been underscored in the 
implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum in 2013 and the Kindergarten Act in 2012. 
Early childhood educators play a crucial role in promoting child development and 
school readiness (Moore, 2009). On that note, the Early Childhood Care and 
Development (ECCD) Council developed competency standards intended for early 
childhood educators, which include strong knowledge about child growth, 
development, and learning; child’s health and proper nutrition; play-based and 
experiential learning curriculum; the development of a safe and supportive learning 
environment designed to cater hands-on learning experiences; age-appropriate 
assessment and its reporting; strong family involvement and community linkages; 
and continuous personal growth and professional development.   
Despite efforts to improve teacher quality in the past decade, only less than 
10% receive pre-service training in subject matter and pedagogical knowledge and 
skills, while others are trained upon entering the teaching force (UNICEF, 2022). In 
the study conducted by Biana et al. (2021) assessing the competencies of early 
childhood care and development teachers in the Philippines, there is a need to 
concentrate on teacher qualifications and hiring standards. Teacher professional 
development has always been essential for enhancing the quality of education.   
Neighboring countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore focus on the 
importance of early childhood education as they recognize its long-term benefits for 
families and the country as a whole. Policies and programs have been well established 
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to ensure that children have access to high-quality early childhood education and care 
anchored in Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development.   
It has been mentioned in the 2023 EDCOM II report on “Teacher Quality” that 
“proposed reforms were implemented,” but the results were inconsistent with what 
was expected. To help address this growing concern, this legislation seeks support in 
the mandatory offering of specialization in Early Childhood Education in HEIs that 
offer Bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education or equivalent degree offerings. This 
bill aims to ensure that prospective teachers of Kindergarten to third grade will carry 
out their responsibilities to the fullest extent possible.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D. 
Representative  
1-PACMAN Partylist


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGH 
THE MANDATORY INCLUSION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 
PROGRAMS IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WITH EXISTING 
BACHELOR  DEGREES IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:   
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Early Childhood 
Education Expansion and Enhancement Act of 2024, or THE ECE 2024 ACT”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. 
Furthermore, the State recognizes the importance of producing competent, and 
dynamic early childhood educators who are concerned with the welfare and 
development of children in their early years.   
In this regard, the State mandates all the HEIs that offer a Bachelor’s Degree in 
Elementary Education to offer at least a specialization in Early Childhood Education. 
This ensures that the early childhood education sector is given the highest level of 
importance. Specialized knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach and 
support young children during their formative years shall be the core focus of this 
program. The program shall ensure that educators possess adequate training and 
expertise in early childhood education which is essential for the holistic development 
of children. The program shall integrate specialized training in early childhood 
education within the bachelor programs in elementary education that will enhance 
the quality of education provided to young learners specifically in the age group of 0-
8.
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - The following terms are defined as follows:    
   
(a) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Refers to accredited colleges, 
universities, and similar institutions offering bachelor programs in elementary 
education; 
 
(b) Early Childhood Education (ECE): Refers to the field of education focused on 
the development and education of children from birth to age eight; 
 
(c) Bachelor Programs in Elementary Education: Refers to undergraduate degree 
programs and other related degree programs designed to prepare individuals 
for careers as elementary school teachers; 
 
(d) Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Early Childhood Education 
(BEECEd): Refers to a 4-year teacher education program that aims to produce 
quality graduates who are equipped with pedagogical, and content knowledge 
and skills of children in their early years; 
 
(e) The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council is a government 
agency mandated by Republic Act No. 10410 otherwise known as the “Early 
Years Act of 2013”, as the primary agency implementing the government’s 
National ECCD System. 
   
SECTION 4. Mandatory Specialization of Early Childhood Education in HEIs – 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to its mandate under 
Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”, is 
hereby mandated to develop a course on Bachelor of Elementary Education major in 
Early Childhood Education (BEECEd). 
 
All HEIs offering bachelor programs in elementary education shall be mandated to 
incorporate a mandatory specialization in early childhood education within their 
curriculum. The specialization shall cover key areas including child development, 
curriculum planning, pedagogical approaches for young learners, assessment 
techniques, family engagement, and inclusive practices. The duration and credit 
requirements for the specialization shall be determined by the regulatory body 
overseeing the higher education within the jurisdiction.  
  
The mandatory specialization shall also focus on the child’s holistic development, 
taking into account age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness, and utilize 
developmentally appropriate practice as it cores component in line with the Early 
Childhood Education System.   
   
 SECTION 5. Hiring of Higher Education Institution Faculty – Following the 
creation of a new specialization of a BEECEd program, the recruitment, selection, 


and hiring of qualified, and competent faculty members shall be put in place. New 
items shall be created to fill the needs of experts in the program.  Part-time and full-
time teaching positions aligned with the program’s demand shall be posted before the 
opening of the program offering. The hiring process shall follow the existing 
guidelines for implementing HEIs following the competency standards set by the 
ECCD Council.   
   
Faculty members shall have relevant academic credentials, professional experience, 
and ongoing professional development in early childhood education. HEIs shall 
ensure that faculty members responsible for teaching courses within the early 
childhood education specialization possess appropriate qualifications and expertise 
in the field.   
   
SECTION 6. Compliance and Monitoring – The CHED, acting as the overseeing 
body in higher education shall be responsible for the monitoring of this mandate. 
HEIs found to be non-compliant shall be subject to penalties as determined by the 
regulatory body, which may include loss of accreditation or eligibility for government 
funding.  
  
HEIs shall submit to CHED a review of its curriculum incorporating mandatory 
specialization in early childhood education every three (3) years, highlighting its 
accomplishments and impact, or any recommendations for modifications or 
improvements to further enhance its relevance and effectiveness.    
   
SECTION 7. Appropriations – To assist HEIs in developing and implementing the 
required expertise in early childhood education, government funding and support 
shall be made available. Funding will be provided for resource materials, curriculum 
development, faculty training, and other necessary costs associated with the area of 
concentration. The CHED shall be responsible for the allocation of resources to 
support the curriculum development, hiring of teachers, and additional facilities in 
compliance with the promulgation of the Act.   
  
The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be taken from 
the current appropriations. Thereafter, funds needed in subsequent years shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act.   
 
SECTION 8. Program, Curriculum, and Course Development Offerings and 
Requirements – The curriculum of the BEECEd shall ensure that the learning 
objectives are clearly articulated in terms of competencies, skills, and socio-emotional 
attributes and conform to the existing policies, standards, and guidelines set by the 
ECCD Council, Early Years Act, the Kindergarten Act, and the Philippine 
Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST).   
   


The defined set of courses or subjects and/or examinations, and/or projects and 
activities required for graduation shall be aligned with and equivalent to the existing 
curriculum of the Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and/or the 
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and/or its equivalent as prescribed by 
the Commission on Higher Education.    
  
SECTION 9. Transitory Provisions – HEIs shall be given a transition period of 1 
academic year or 2 consecutive semesters to fully implement the mandatory 
specialization in early childhood education upon the enactment of the law. The 
regulatory body overseeing higher education shall provide guidance and support to 
HEIs during the implementation process.    
     
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The CHED, the ECCD 
Council, and the DepEd in consultation with relevant stakeholders shall be mandated 
to formulate the rules and regulations to implement this Act within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity thereof. 
 
(a) The structure and components of the Elementary Education degree program 
specializing in early childhood education, including the duration, core 
curriculum requirements, and credits, shall be defined by the CHED; 
 
(b) Admission and enrolment procedures for prospective students applying to the 
program shall include entrance examinations, grade qualifications, and 
interview process on the basis of admission policies of the implementing HEIs.   
   
SECTION 11. Separability Clause – In the event that any provision or portion of 
this Act is deemed unlawful or unconstitutional the remaining portions of this Act 
shall remain fully operative and enforceable.   
   
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.   
   
SECTION 13. Effectivity – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,