, 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Republic of the Philippines 
) 
First Re gu 1 ar S es s i o n 
1 
SENATE 
. 
“M 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTFUDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The celebration of the Centennial Year of the Philippine Normal University 
carries not only historical basis but tremendous iiational significance. Created by Act No. 
74 of the Philippine Commission, the Philippine Nonnal School was formally opened on 
September 1, 190 1 as the first institution of higher learning organized after the American 
occupation of the Philippines. The Philippine Nonnal School was converted into the 
Pliilippiiie Noimal College when Republic Act No. 416 was enacted into law on June 
18,1949 and became the Philippine Normal University through the passage of Republic 
Act No. 7168 on January 11, 1992. 
The inception of the Philippine Nonnal University one hundred (100) years ago in 
September 1901 likewise ushered in the field of teacher education in the Philippines. One 
hundred years ago, there were only 5,158 public school teachers of whom 763 were 
Americans. Today there are 41 9,954 public school teachers. 
Among a respondent group of 405,973 public school teachers who participated in 
a study on teachers’ employment status, welfare and working conditions conducted in 
1999, a total 253,777 or 62.5% said they graduated over ten (10) years ago. Some 
152,351 teachers or 37.53% reported they had not attended any training in the past three 
(3) years. Only 56,700 or 13.96% of the teacher respondents reported having access to a 
computer. Only 7,300 or 1.80% repoi-ted having access to the Internet. The study further 
revealed that only a very small proportion of teacher respondents majored in Math and 
Science, 5.38% and 2.71 YO respectively. 
The bill seeks to establish a iiational system of teacher training and development 
which will provide all teachers opportunities for in-service training programs in: (1) using 
infonnation and communication technology (ICT) to improve the teaching and learning 
processes; 
(2) continuing professional education and development by strengthening 
teacher competencies in various field of specializations, (3) introducing innovative 
strategies and modalities of teaching and learning, (4) benchinarltiiig and establishing 
institutional linltages and networking, and (5) other advocacy and promotions strategies. 
The bill also seeks to create a national educational policy research program to provide the 
necessary support mechanism for the implementation of the national teacher training and 
development system. 


/ 
It is hoped that with the passage of this bill school teachers all over the country 
will become learning facilitators who are able to teach using information and 
coinmunication technology to enhance pupil learning outcomes and can harness new 
learnings and appropriate strategies to improve access to, enhance equity in and promote 
the quality of basic education. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of tills bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Luisa “Loi’’ P. Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
ELEVATING THE PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY TO BECOME THE 
COUNTRY’S NATIONAL UNIVERSITY 
FOR TEACHER 
EDUCATION; 
ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF NATIONAL TEACHER TRAINING AND 
DEVELOPMENT; APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR; AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Normal 
University (PNU) Modernization Act of 2004.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of tlie State 
to give priority to tlie continuing professional training and development of all Filipino 
teachers and utilize fiillest potentials of the country’s teaching force to increase access to, 
promote equity in and improve the quality of basic education. The State shall likewise 
give priority to educational research and development, to innovations and alternative 
systeiiis and their utilization and application to teacher training and development. 
SECTION 3. National University/or ‘readier Education. - The PNU with 
branches in the Municipality of Prosperidad in the Province of Agusan del Sur, 
Municipality of Alicia in the Province of Isabela, Cadiz City in the Province of Negros 
Occidental, and an extension in the Municipality of Lopez in the Province of Quezon is 
hereby elevated lo become the country’s national university 1 ‘or teacher education. 
The honor and distinction of a national university for teacher education is 
conferred on the PNU in recognition of its progressive leadership in the of teacher 
education. 
Since its inception on September 1, 1901 the university reinailis the only 
university in the country offering no other program but the teacher education program. 
The PNU has consistently proven tlie quality of excellence of its teacher education 
programs by the significant publications and research work of the faculty; the national 
and international distinction; and honor conferred on its faculty and alumni; and its 
outstanding leadership in promoting teacher education reforms in the country. 


SECTION 4. National Teacher Training and Development. - There is hereby 
established a system of National Teacher Training and Development to provide school 
heads and school teachers in the country opportunities for continuing professional 
education and Development as well as ensure the smooth induction and integration of 
graduates to tlie teaching service. 
For this purpose a National Teacher Training and Development (NTTD) Program 
is hereby established in the Philippine "Normal University to offer in-service training and 
development for teachers, school heads and administrators. The NTTD program shall be 
foiinulated, organized and implemented in consultation with the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Teacher Education Council (TEC), the 
Commission on Higher education (CUED), and other appropriate agencies and shall 
include ainong others the following areas of training and development: 
a) 
Infoiiiiation and coininunication technologies as tools to improve the 
leaching and learning and decision-malting processes; 
Competencies in various fields of specialization such as educational 
leadership in administration, management and supervision and educational 
evaluation and assessment; 
Innovative strategies and alternative modalities of teaching and leaiiiiiig 
such as open and flexible learning and distance education. 
b) 
c) 
The following objectives shall guide the implementation of the NTTD program: 
a) 
To identify tlie priority areas for teacher training and development taking 
into account (the new directions and challenges for teacher education 
especially in the Asia Pacific region; 
To deteimine desired competencies to be acquired, develop the training 
and development curriculum preferably modularized and ladderized, 
prepare tlie coiirse materials and establish the measurement and evaluation 
criteria; 
b) 
c) 
To conduct the teacher training and development courses utilizing suitable 
approaches and wide-ranging technologies including information and 
comniunication technology for open aid flexible learning and distance 
education; 
To serve as a leaiiing resource center providing current, up-to-date and 
significant infonnatioii on policies and practices on teacher education and 
teacher training und development programs of countries across the region 
and tlie world; 
d) 


e) 
To provide technical assistance, training and extension services to 
institutions who desire to participate in the implementation of the 
university's national teacher training and development program. 
SECTION 5. Educational Policy Research and Development. - There shall be 
established a program for Educational Policy Research and Developinent(EPRD) which 
shall have the following objectives: 
To establish and maintain a database of educational policies and 
significant issues of the country's education system as well as the 
educational systems of oilier countries especially in the Asia Pacific 
region; 
To create and test different models of teacher education, address key 
factors in successful teacher education programs and determine which 
model would best achieve the country's educational goals; 
To promote among the country's teacher education institutions a culture of 
research and encourage the active involvement and participation of their 
faculty in research work and development studies; 
To define, promote and implement a research agenda that will support 
among others the implementation of the university's national teacher 
training and development program; 
To collaborate with national, regional and international research 
organization; especially those which have had the greatest influence on 
implementing new approaches to teacher education, training and 
development; and 
To provide assistance and advice to national policy-makers and decision- 
inalters in planning, implementing and evaluating reforms in teacher 
education including the licensing of professional teachers. 
SECTION 6. Modernization Plan. - For the purpose of upgrading and 
maintaining a high degree of academic excellence in providing teacher education, in 
research and extension services, in advance studies and in oilier relevant fields, a 
modernization plan for the PNU shall be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21" 
century. 
The university modernization plan shall enhance circular programs to make them 
relevant and responsive to the needs of society and address the educational needs of 
communities. The modeinization plan shall include a program for staff development as 
well as for the upgrading of services, facilities and equipment in the University. 


SECTION 7. Initial and Continuing Appropriation. - For the initial 
implenientation of this Act, the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (P 100,000,000.00) 
is hereby appropriated. Said aimount shall be equally funded from the net income of the 
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine National Oil 
Corporation (PNOC). 
For the succeeding six (6) years, tlie amount of Filly Million Pesos 
(P50,000,000.00), whicli shall be equally funded by the PCSO and tlie PNOC, shall be 
provided to the PNU. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary to sustain tlie program shall be included in the 
annual appropriations of tlie PNU. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuance, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - The provisions of this Act hereby declared 
to be separable, and in the event one or more of such provisions are held unconstitutional, 
the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days fi-om the 
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved