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2 RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines one. NOV 2017
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tae i
Queson City :
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS y,

‘Second Regular Session

House Bit no.6640

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There remains the need for more dedicated teachers in the public school system,
especially in the remote rural areas. The lack of teaching personnel in the country
has been a long-time problem and the demand is still high despite the recent hiring
of additional teachers". The difficulty of this scenario is best illustrated by the current
disproportionate teacher-student ratio and class sizes reaching up to 70 students*
per class.

This bill intends to incentivize teacher education and encourage a career in teaching
by providing scholarship grants to students enrolling in teacher education. At least
ten (10) qualified candidates per province each year shall be chosen to benefit from
the proposed program and shall be granted scholarship covering all school
expenses. In turn, graduates of the program, after getting their Bachelor of Arts or
Science in Education, must render service to teach in any public elementary or
secondary school in their home region or in any rural public school for at least five
(5) years.

Reforms, such as the freeing up of the costs of education, have been recently placed
to fulfill our Constitutional mandate to protect and promote the right of all citizens to
quality education at all levels. This can only be truly achieved if we have teachers in
place and joining the profession is supported and encouraged.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS IND “/ Y” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

' https://www.rappler.com/nation/146520-deped-2017-buddget-hiring-teachers
* http://newsinfo. nquirer.net/607755/school-heads-cede-offlces-to-classes-626-metro-public-schools-


Republic of the Philippines:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bit. No.6640

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

AN ACT
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO STUDENTS ENROLLING IN TEACHER
EDUCATION AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR TEACHING IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS

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 “Teacher Education
Scholarship Program of 2017".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the policy of the State to give priority to
education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development. Towards this end, the State shall continue to develop programs that
will encourage the youth to pursue an education in teaching and provide them with
opportunities for employment by serving their countrymen as rural teachers.

SECTION 3. General Objectives. - A scholarship program shall be offered to
deserving students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education
degree or training in teacher education to provide said students with incentives to
pursue a teaching career in their home regions or in other rural areas.

SECTION 4. Scholarship Program. - This Act envisions a four-year full-time
Teacher Education Scholarship Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, to
be offered to deserving students, based on meritocracy for those eligible, who will


take up teacher education of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education, or
any other teacher training program or course under Republic Act No. 7836,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994”.

The graduates of the Program shall render services and be integrated into any public
school in their home region or other rural public elementary or secondary school in
the Philippines as provided for under Section 6 of this Act.

SECTION 5. Eligibility and Qualifications. — Without prejudice to the minimum
requirements set forth in Republic Act No. 10687 or the Unified Student Financial
Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act, there shall be an annual
selection through appropriate examinations and screening processes of those who
shall be admitted to the Program. The candidates shall be chosen from among
qualified secondary graduates, whether from the private or public high schools. The
qualified and selected scholar shall be granted scholarship to enroll in a teacher
education course covering expenses for matriculation and other school fees,
prescribed textbooks, supplies and equipment, clothing and uniform allowances, and
other related miscellaneous expense.

At least ten (10) candidates per province shall be chosen to participate in the
Program every year.

An applicant whose family's combined gross income falls below the official poverty
threshold as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority or
those whose parent is a barangay worker, government employee, or a member of an
indigenous cultural community shall be given priority in the Selection.

SECTION 6. General Conditions for Admission to the Scholarshi
education scholar shall be accepted to the Program and shall receive and continue
to enjoy the benefits of the scholarship until the completion of the course, subject to

the following conditions:

a) The scholar shall pass the entrance or admission examinations and related
requirements of the school where the scholar intends to enroll;


b) The scholar shall carry the full load of subjects prescribed per semester and
shall, under no circumstance, drop a course which will result in under-loading;
The scholar may be allowed, for valid reasons, to defer enrollment and of
availing of the scholarship for a period not exceeding one school year;

Upon completion of the course and other relevant training, the scholar shall
agree to teach in any public elementary or secondary school in the scholar’s

ic)

d)

home region or in any rural public schoo! for a period of at least five (5) years;
The scholar shall repay the full cost of the scholarship and related benefits
received in the event of the scholar’s failure to complete the teaching

e)

education course without valid cause; and
f) The scholar shall sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions of the

scholarship.

SECTION 7. Secretariat. - The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) may create a Secretariat to provide administrative and technical assistance
to effectively and efficiently implement the Program. It shall perform the duties and
responsibilities as may be determined and delegated by the CHED Chair. The
support staff, as may be created, shall be recruited preferably from any accredited
teacher organization or the academe.

SECTION 8. Donations, Grants and Other Contributions. - The CHED may
accept any donation, contribution, bequest, grant, in cash or services, whether local
or foreign, which may be made by individuals and organizations, to fund the
Program. Such donation, contribution, bequest, grant, in cash or services shall be
exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be considered as an allowable
deduction from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the donor in
accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
amended.

Proceeds from at least two (2) draws of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes every
year also be allocated to finance the Program.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (Php50,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such


funds necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the
appropriations of the CHED in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the approval of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the Department of
Education (DepEd) and in consultation with schools offering education for teachers
and other relevant stakeholders, issue such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act Is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,