Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no”282

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The glaring truth is — the state of public education in the Philippines is grim and subpar
compared with most of our neighbors in Asia, and especially with the western world.
This bill keys in on the need to legislate a uniform size of classroom or fixed classroom
to student ratio in our schools to improve the situation of public education in the
country.

The Department of Education (DepEd) recorded the current classroom-student ratio
in public elementary schools at 1:34 on average, and in public high schools at 1:45.
The improvement is attributed to the shifting method where classes are now held in
three shifts daily. Among the provinces and cities, worst off are Sarangani at 66
students per classroom, Sultan Kudarat at 63, and Tacurong City at 62'. Big classes
take rigorous physical and professional toll on teachers, result in impersonal learning,
and frame a disruptive learning environment for our students.

This bill institutionalizes an ideal class size of no more than 35 enrolled students. Any
class exceeding 35 students up to a maximum of 50 students shall be considered a
large class. Teachers of large classes shall receive an honorarium equivalent to one
percent (1%) of their daily rate for every student in excess of 35. In no case shall a
class size larger than 50 enrolled students shall be permitted.

1. __http:liwww.mindanews.com/op-stories/2012/01/725-classrooms-needed-in--12-foridealclassroom-student-ratio!


We recognize the problems that beset our education sector, and continuously strive
to make the situation better for our teachers and students alike. Under this bill, an

amount of five billion pesos is allotted to ensure its efficient and successful
implementation.

In consideration of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Luis MUND, \Y” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7282

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
REGULATING CLASS SIZE IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress

assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known “The Public School Size Law of 2018.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the declared policy of the State to protect
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education. It is likewise declared that the
State shall provide just compensation and human working conditions for public school
teachers.

Oversized classes in the country's public schools adversely affect the leaming
experience provided to Filipino school children. To ensure access to quality education,
itis necessary to establish standards for class size.

For their part, teachers are entitled to protection from unregulated increases in class
size as well as to compensation commensurate to their actual workload.

SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all classes in public schools of the
Department of Education, and to all classroom teachers therein, whether paid by the
national or local government.

SECTION 4. Standard Class Size. — Each class to be handled by a single teacher
shall have a standard size of 35 students. For purposes of this Act, any class with not
more than 35 students shall be considered a standard class.


SECTION 5. Large Class Size. - Any class exceeding 35 students up to a maximum.
of 50 students shall be considered a large class. In no case shall a class size in excess
of 50 students be permitted.

SECTION 6. Large Class Honorarium. — A teacher handling a large class shall be
entitled to a large class honorarium equivalent to one percent (1%) of her daily rate for
every student in excess of the standard class size of 35.

This formula shall apply to all classes assigned to the teacher during the school year.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education
shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this
Act within a period of thirty (30) days after its effectivity.

SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The amount of Five Billion Pesos (P
5,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be included in the appropriations for the Department of Education (DepEd) in the
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional, all other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full

force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and other
issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,