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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'11 
FEB 23 P 4 :09 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2713 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
EXPLANATORY N.oTE 
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The development of our country is to a large extent dependent on how we have prepared 
our young for the global competition. Filipinos consider education as the embodiment of their 
hopes and aspirations for a better life. In fact, access to quality education is a state policy that is 
enshrined in the constitution. 
The passage of this measure will not only' give full meaning to the Philippine 
commitment to the Education for All (EFA) global movement and its expanded vision of 
education but it will also fulfill the vision offunctionally,literate Filipinos. 
Under this proposed measure more learning years would be added in the pre-school level 
to ensure that pupils are better prepared to begin their formal education rather than forcing 
students to prolong their stay in high school by enrolling in the 5th year. 
The government's education upgrade should be focused on adding more years and funds 
to pre-school learning than adding more years in the high schoo!. The DepEd officials reveal that 
the dropout rate is more prevalent in Grades 1, 2 and 3 while 42 percent of those entering public 
school for the first time are deemed not ready for Grade 1. 
Institutionalizing additional learning years in pre-school such as nursery and kindergarten 
education would adequately prepare every young pupil in coping with the ''rigors of formal 
schooling." It is in the pres-school period when the young mind's absorptive capacity for 
learning is considered at its sharpest. It is during this early stage of development that a child can 
better learn and assimilate ideas because of the rapid growth of the physical and mental faculties. 
Thus, this bill provides for a 13-year basic 'education program otherwise known as "K2 
plus Grade 7", with the addition of two years of kindergarten and a Seventh Grade in 
elementary. 
This bill likewise prescribes the use of mother tongue-based multi-lingual framework as a 
medium of instruction starting in the kindergarten level up to Grade 3. 
Scientific studies and global trends point to a multi-lingual based education using the 
mother tongue as becoming the standard teaching method for basic literacy all over the world. In 
the Philippines, a local study reveals that the average Filipino is multi-lingual and can understand 
several local dialects aside from English. 
The additional years in basic education shall be implemented by phase with the 
Kindergarten to be implemented in School Year (SY).2012-2013, while the additional Grade 
Seven will start in SY 2015-2016. 
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Cognizant of the priority given to basic educatio,n, the measure earmarks proceeds from 
the Value-Added Tax collections amounting to Forty Billion annually for the next three years 
after the approval of the bill for the implementation of the kindergarten education. The budgetary 
requirements of the additional Grade 7 shall likewise be ,charged to the proceeds from the Value 
Added Tax for the first three years of its implementation,. Thereafter, the budgetary requirements 
of the additional years of basic education shall be charged to the general fund and included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
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In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly requested. 
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f 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'11 
FEB 23 Pit :09 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2713 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
ENHANCING THE 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: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Enhanced Basic Education Act 
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of2011". 
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SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - The State shall establish, maintain and support a 
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complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and 
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society. 
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Likewise, it is hereby declared the policy of the State that every graduate of basic education 
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shall be an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound 
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educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout 
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life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful 
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harmony with local and global communities, the capability to engage in autonomous critical 
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thinking, and the capacity to transform others and one's self. 
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For this purpose, the State shall create a functional'basic education system that will develop 
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productive and responsible citizens equipped with the essential competencies and skills for both 
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life-long learning and employment. In order to achieve this, the state shall: 
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a) give every student an opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced 
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and decongested curriculum that is internationally recognized and comparable; and 
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b) change public perception that high school education is just preparation for college; 
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rather, it should allow one to take advantage of opportunities for gainful career or 
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employment and/or self-employment in a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized 
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environment. 
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It is also the policy of the State to make education learner-oriented and responsive to the 
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needs, cognitive and cultural capacity, the circumstances and diversity of learners, schools and 
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communities through the appropriate languages of teaching and learning. 
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SEC. 3. Basic Education. Basic education is the education intended to meet basic 
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learning needs which lays the foundation on which subsequent learning can be based. 
It 
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encompasses early childhood, elementary and high school education as well as alternative 
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learning systems for out-of-school youth and adult learners and includes education for those with 
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special needs. 


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SEC. 4 Enhanced Basic Education. Basic education will be for a total of thirteen (13) 
years and shall include two (2) years of kindergarten, ~even (7) years of elementary education 
and four (4) years of secondary education. 
Kindergarten education shall be understood in this Act to mean two (2) years of 
preschool education for children four (4) years old and above as a prerequisite for Grade I. 
Elementary education shall refer to the first stage of free and compulsory, formal 
education primarily concerned with providing basic education. Elementary education can 
likewise be attained through alternative learning system. 
Secondary education shall refer to the stage or free formal education following the 
elementary level concerned with continuing basic education. Secondary education can likewise 
be attained through alternative learning system. 
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The curriculum for the basic education shall be formulated and determined by the 
Department of Education (DepEd). 
SEC 5. Medium of Instruction. - The mother ton~ue of the leamer also known as the first 
language (Ll), home language, native language or vernacular shall be the primary medium of 
instruction for teaching and learning from the kindergarten level to Grade 3 of the elementary 
education. The DepEd in coordination with the Commi~sion on Filipino Language and in close 
collaboration with academic and research institutions concerned with education shall formulate a 
mother-tongue-based multilingual framework for teaching and learning in the kindergarten and 
elementary education. 
SEC. 6. Implementation by Phase. The kindergarten program shall be compulsory starting 
in School Year (SY) 2012-2013. The additional Seventh Grade in the elementary education shall 
be implemented in SY 2015-2016. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
Within ninety (90) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), 
shall promulgate the rules., and regulations needed for 
the 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. -
The DepEd shall immediately include in the program of the 
Department the operationalization of the free, mandatOFY and compulsory public kindergarten 
education, the initial funding of which shall be charged against the s a v i n g s fro m 
the current appropriations of the DepEd and proceeds from the Value-Added Tax collections 
amounting to Forty Billion Pesos (P40,OOO,OOO,000) earmarked every year for the next three 
years for the annual budgetary requirements of the kindergarten education. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the free public kindergarten 
education program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act: Provided, That 
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the budgetary requirements of the Grade Seven when due for implementation shall be likewise 
charged to the proceeds of the Value Added Tax and inclUded in the General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. -
If any 
provi~ion 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 Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 and 
all other laws, decrees, executive orders and rvles and regulations contrary to 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 the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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