NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 541
of tl)p ctarp
*22 JH13 P4 37
RHCEiVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
REGULATING CLASS SIZE AND CONDITIONS IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is a known fact that class size has a considerable impact on students' 
learning. Students in smaller classes tend to perform better in all subjects and all 
assessments when compared to those In larger classes.1 Students also talk and 
participate more In smaller classes, and are much more likely to interact with their 
teachers rather than passively listen.2 Teachers are likewise able to diagnose and 
track student learning in smaller classes.3 On the other hand, overcrowded 
classrooms make it difficult for students to concentrate on lessons and also limit the 
amount of time teachers can spend on other teaching methods such as cooperative 
learning and group work.4 Teachers In congested classrooms are also generally over­
stretched, more likely to suffer from burnout, or have a more strained relationship 
with their pupils.5
During the pre-pandemic era, Philippine classrooms are notoriously known as 
among the most crowded in Asia.6 For example, in the early 2000s, the Philippine 
public elementary schools had a ratio of 43.9 students per classroom, compared to 
Malaysia's classroom ratio of 31.7, Thailand's 22.9 ratio, Japan s 28.6, and India's 40
1 National Council of Teachers of English. (01 April 2014). "Why Class Size Matters Today". Accessed from: 
https://ncte.org/statement/why-class-size-matters/
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Jones, Nicholas. (05 April 2017). "School Congestion in the Philippines: A Breakthrough Solution". The Asia 
Foundation. Accessed from; https://asiafoundation.org/2017/04/05/sc' iool-congestion-philippines- 
breakthrough-solution/
5 Ibid.
6 Araneta, Sandy & Porcalla, Delon. (01 June 2006). "Classrooms in RP Asia's Most Crowded". The Philippine 
Star. Accessed from: https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2006/06/01/339641/classrooms-rp-asial46s-most- 
crowded
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students per classroom.7 On the same note, a Philippine average high school class 
size had 56.1 students per classroom, compared to Malaysia's 34, Thailand's 41.5, 
Japan's 33.9, and India's 39.8 These figures have since improved throughout the 
years, particularly in cities. As of School Year 2017-2018, the teacher-student ratio is 
1:31 for elementary; 1:36 for junior high school; and 1:31 for senior high school.9
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has invariably changed the educational 
landscape of the country. Physical classrooms became e-classrooms as the physical 
restrictions and lockdowns forced both learners and teachers to adapt to a remote 
type of learning. This had been the overarching set-up for the past two years.
With restrictions slowly easing, the educational sector is once again in 
transition. It is now slowly adjusting to a newnormaf—di set-up that fully adjusts the 
pre-pandemic setting with the reality of the pandemic. Part of this new normal is 
once again the use of physical classrooms, but with added restrictions such as 
limitations on the number of students, ventilation requirements, hours of classes, 
etc. And while the number of students per classroom is being monitored and 
controlled by relevant government agencies, there Is still a clear imperative to 
ensure that the pre-pandemic overcrowding will not come to pass ever again. As we 
usher in the new normal for our students, there has to be a corresponding mandate 
that the ills of the pre-pandemic are not repeated, and that the development, health 
and well-being of our learners are placed at the forefront of our concerns.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is sought.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Montemayor, Ma. Teresa. (19 March 2018). "Class-Size Affects Students' Learning: DepEd". Philippine News 
Agency. Accessed from: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1029281
2


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
litkl Senate
of li)P j&rn-ftnfp
■22 JUL13 P4 37
SENATE
S. No. 541
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
REGULATTNG CLASS SIZE AND CONDITIONS IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Title. —This Act shall be known as the "Class Size and Conditions
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Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared policy of the State to protect and
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promote the right of all citizens to quality education. It is likewise declared that the
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State shall provide just compensation and humane working conditions for public
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school teachers.
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Oversized classes in the country's public schools adversely affect the learning
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experience provided to Filipino school children, and serve as a hazard to their health
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and well-being. To ensure access to quality education as well as to secure their
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safety, it is necessary to establish standards for class size and condition that are
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compliant with the health standards set by relevant government agencies.
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For their part, teachers are entitled to protection from unregulated increases
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in class size as well as to compensation commensurate to their actual workload.
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Sec. 3. Coverage. -This Act shall apply to all public primary and secondary
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educational institutions and the assigned teachers therein, whether paid by the
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national or local government.


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Sec. 4. Class Size and Conditions. -The number of students for each class to 
be handled by a single teacher shall be set by the Department of Education (DepEd), 
in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH). For purposes of this Act, any 
class with not more than 35 students shall be considered a standard class.
Classrooms shall strictly comply with the ventilation requirements, social 
distancing measures, and other guidelines already released or to be promulgated by 
DepEd, in coordination with DOH and other relevant government agencies.
Sec. 5. Large Ciass Size. - Any class exceeding 35 students up to a maximum 
of 45 students shall be considered a large class. In no case shall a class size In 
excess of 45 students be permitted.
Sec. 6. Large Ciass Honorarium. - A teacher handling a large class shall be 
entitled to a large honorarium equivalent to one percent (1.0%) 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.
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - DepEd shall, within a period of 
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations 
necessary for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 8. Appropriations. -The initial amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of DepEd. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the appropriations for the DepEd in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
Sec. 9. Separabiiity Ciause. - If for any reason, any portion or provision of this 
Act is held unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
or other Issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers
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of general circulation.
Approved,