'i' 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
'11 
MAR 24 Pl :30 
SENATE 
S. B. ~o. 2758 
f 
Introduced by Senator JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution, the State shall promote the 
protection of the rights of all citizens to quality and accessible education. While there 
is a governing law on daycare programs, and elementary and secondary education 
handled by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of 
Education (DepEd), respecti"ely, there is no governing law stipulating preschool to be 
compulsory and mandatory. 
In 2005, the National Preschool Program was created to standardize the 
curriculum taught in daycare centers to distinguish between the socialization function 
of the daycare program under DSWD and educational function of the preschool 
handled by DepEd. However, this was implemented only by virtue of a presidential 
directive; and to date, there is still no governing law stipulating preschool to be 
mandatory and compulsory. 
The implementation of Republic Act No. 6972 or the Barangay (Village) Level 
Total Protection of Children Act requiring all local government units to establish 
daycare centers in every village also depends on the priorities and funding allocated by 
the local government unit. 
A study conducted by the DepEd-Bureau of Elementary Education on the 
effectiveness of preschool education showed the need to standardize the delivery of 
preschool education particularly in the areas of curriculum, instructions, and 
instructional materials. 
It is thus imperative for the government to provide an early intervention to 
provide equal opportunities for children to avail of free and compUlsory preschool and 
elementary education that will effectively promote physical, social, intellectual skills. 
This will eventually help improve dropout rates as well as cohort survival rates since it 
will sufficiently prepare children for formal elementary schooling thereafter. 
This bill aims to expand quality preschool education including the adoption of a 
standard curriculum, training and hiring program for preschool classes and teachers, 
distribution of learning materials, and construction of preschool classrooms. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
'11 
MAR 24 P 1 :30 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2758 
HECE!Vf';D I'1Y;~ 
Introduced by Senator JUAN PONCE ENRILE 
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AN ACT. INSTITUTIONALIZING PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INTO THE BASIC 
EDUCATION SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 "Preschool Education 
Act". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
provide equal opportunities for all children to avail of free and compulsory preschool 
education that effectively promotes physical, social, intellectual, emotional and skills 
stimulation and values formation to sufficiently prepare them for the formal 
elementary schooling. This Act shall apply to elementary school system, being the 
first stage of compUlsory formal education. 
preschool education is vital to the academic and technical development of the 
Filipino child for it is the period when the young mind's absorptive capacity for 
learning is at its sharpest. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: 
(a) "BEE" refers to the Bureau of Elementary Education, 
(b) "Day Care Service Programs" refers to an arrangement whereby 
supplemental parental care is provided to a child who may be neglected, 
abused, exploited or abandoned part of the day where parents cannot 
attend to the needs of the child; 
(c) "DepEd" refers to the Department of Education; 
(d) "Preschool Education" refers to one (1) year of preparatory schooling for 
children five (5) year old and above as a pre-requisite for enrolment in 
Grade 1. 
SEC. 4. Institutionalization of Preschool Education. - Preschool education is 
hereby. institutionalized as part of basic education and shall be made mandatory and 
compulsory, provided that public preschool education program shall be free from 
payment of tuition and other school fees. 
No student shall be admitted to Grade 1 without having attended at least one 
(1) year of pre-school education: Provided, that the student passes a prescribed 
examination which shall test his readiness for enrollment in Grade 1. 


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SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - The authority to regulate the organization, 
operation and/or implementation of the preschool education program shall be vested 
upon the DepEd, through the BEE. 
The national government shall continue to support the day care service 
programs under Republic Act No. 8980, otherwise known as the Early Childhood Care 
and Development Act, subject to the financial assistance to be provided by the local 
government units and the technical assistance and accreditation system extended by 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in consultation with the 
DepEd. 
SEC. 6. Duties, Powers and Functions. - The DepEd shall have the following 
duties, powers and functions: 
(a) Oversee and supervise the implementation of the preschool education 
program throughout the country; 
(b) Develop curriculum for preschool education consistent with the 
universally accepted norms and standards, including values formation, 
and to periodically review such for purposes of improving said 
curriculum; 
(c) Conceive, develop and extend regular training programs to preschool 
education teachers to ensure constant updating of their knowledge in 
- modem trends, methodologies and concepts on early childhood 
education; 
(d) Prescribe necessary qualifications for the hiring and accreditation of 
teachers who will handle the preschool education program; and 
(e) Formulate necessary guidelines and regulatory standards in connection 
with the operation of private preschool institutions. 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Education shall immediately include 
in the DepEd's program the operational requirements of the compulsory preschool 
education program, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the current 
appropriations for preschool education of DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
necessary for the continued implementation of the preschool education program shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation with 
the DSWD, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of 
Interior arrd Local Government, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 9. 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. 10. Repealing Clause. - Pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 8980 or 
the Early Childhood Care and Development Act, and other laws, decrees, executive 


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orders and rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
pUblication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,