Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3647

Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEQDORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution in Section 1, Article XIV, requires the State to promote the right
of all citizens to quality education at all levels.

Thus, it is not surprising that the current administration, through the Department
of Education, pushes for the 12-year education plan called the "Enhanced Kindergarten
- Grade 12” (K+12). DepEd’s K+12 model specifies one year of kindergarten and 12
years of basic education. Further, the model specifically divides basic education into six
years of elementary education and six years of high school education, with the latter
Composing four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school,

Several education leaders are advocating for an additional two years of basic
education for students in the country citing insufficiency of the present 10-year basic
education for schoolers to absorb learning strategies. The additional two years of basic
education curriculum is believed to be imperative in achieving quality education that
would allow the students to be competitive with the rest of our neighbors in Asia
Apparently, the Philippines is the only country in the region that requires ten years of
basic education.

Also, the proposal is viewed as the probable answer to the issue of the current
10-year basic education cycle being obsolete since, as stated earlier, most nations in
the world already implement a 12-year education plan, and thereby help reverse the
decline of Philippine education. Some international observers in the field specifically
noted that Filipino students end up cramming so many subjects in a short period of time,
therefore, they failed to delve deeper into difficult subjects like Calculus and other
sciences. More importantly, the two years of senior high school aim to provide students
with skills and competencies that will help them become employable upon graduation.

This bill, in line with DepEd's K+12, seeks to amend the Education Act of 1982,
and modify accordingly the definition of “elementary education’ to specifically consist of
one (1) year of kindergarten and six (6) years of elementary school, and “secondary
education” to comprise of four (4) years of junior high school and two (2) years of senior
highschool.

In view of the foregoing facts, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly
sought.

y ee ae Ae ee
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

Representative, 1“ District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3647

House Bill No.

Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE Ill, CHAPTER |, SECTION 20 OF BATAS PAMBANSA
NO. 232, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE EDUCATION ACT OF 1982”

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

SECTION 1. Section 20, Chapter 1, Article III of the Education Act of 1982 is
hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 20. Definition. — "Fo.mal Educational" refers to the hierarchically
structured and chronologically graded learning organized and provided by the
formal school system and for which certification is required in order for the
learner to progress through the grades or move to higher levels. Formal
education shall correspond to the following levels:

1. Elementary Education. — the first stage of compulsory, formal
education primarily concerned with providing basic education. [and
usually corresponding to six or seven grades, including pre-school
programs] FURTHER DIVIDED AS FOLLOWS:

A. ONE YEAR OF KINDERGARTEN
B. SIX YEARS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Grades 1- 6)

2. Secondary Education. — the state of formal education following the
elementary level concerned primarily with continuing basic education
and expanding it to include the learning of employable gainful skills. [,
usually corresponding to four years of high school]

FURTHER DIVIDED AS S‘CLLOWS:

A. FOUR YEARS OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 7 - 10)
B. TWO YEARS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 11 - 12)
3. Tertiary Education. — post secondary schooling is higher education

leading to a degree in a specific profession or discipline.”

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Education shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety
(80) days after the effectivity of this Act.


SECTION 3. 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

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa No. 232 and
all other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,