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TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NoO9 1

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to include human rights as a mandatory curricula subject in all levels of
education.

The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human
rights (Section 11, Article II, 1987 Constitution). All educational institutions shall inculcate
patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, and respect for human rights (Section 3(2],
Article XIV, 1987 Constitution). Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitutions mandates that no
person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person
be denied the equal protection of the laws. Human right is therefore of primordial importance

To this end, it is the responsibility of the State to ensure that the subject “Human Rights”
be included in the curricula of students to fully understand the meaning and significance of the term
“human rights” in all levels of education.

Hence, this earnest request for the immediate passage of this bill.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENATATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.SOL

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY STUDY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN
THE CURRICULA IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION

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 “Human Rights Education Act.”

SECTION 2. Human Right Education. - All public and private schools in all levels shall
include the study of human rights in their curricula. No school shall be established or be

allowed to operate unless this requirement is complied with.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, in
consultation and close coordination with the Commission on Human Rights and various
non-government organizations, advocacy groups and human rights organization, shall
formulate courses, subjects, and/or special lectures on human rights to be taught as separate
courses or incorporated in existing subjects now being taught in all levels of education
throughout the country.

SECTION 4. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education shall
consult and coordinate with the Commission on Human Rights and various non-
government organizations, advocacy groups and human rights organizations, in the writing,
printing, and publication of textbooks, manuals, and other reading materials to be used in

the human rights courses.


SECTION 5. This Act shall be implemented initially within the framework budget of the
Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and state universities and

colleges for the year it is enacted into law.

‘Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and

state universities and colleges in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education, the
Commission on Higher Education and the Commission on Human Rights shall promulgate
and issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall

remain valid or subsisting.

SECTION, 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, later of instruction, administrative order, the rule regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended

accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,