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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 118

Introduced by Representative JUAN MIGUEL MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
DEVELOPING GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
TEACHERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In our genuine effort to be major players in the global arena, it is of paramount
importance to have exceptionally and highly educated students. But without the
contribution of our teachers in the molding of our youth, it will be close to impossible to
create such an ideal studentry. It is also, therefore, important to create and maintain an
adequate pool of highly qualified, motivated and globally competitive teachers,
particularly those in the area of science and mathematics, to enable and strengthen the
Philippines in its aim of becoming globally competitive.

This bill, therefore, seeks to enjoin students in mathematics and science to pursue a
career in teaching. It seeks to advance their specialization, sustain interest in this field
and encourage them to say in science and mathematics teaching. it also provides
measures that will continually upgrade the competence of those who are already in
such fields of teaching. The measures include:

(1) providing scholarships and specialized training programs;

(2) seeking waivers from the Professional Regulatory Commission to allow new
graduates to teach between graduation time and taking the licensure
Examination for Teachers (LET);

(3) giving certified teachers a higher starting pay than their basic salary;

(4) giving rewards to top scores in the LET;

(5) giving promotions to non-science and non-mathematics majors who have
completed a certification program in science content;

(6) giving merit promotions through examination; and


(7) creating a Science and mathematics Teachers Development Found to finance
programs for the continuing improvement of teacher's skill

In effect, this bill will ensure that teaching in the fields of science and mathematics
become as competitive as other professions and the availability of competent teachers
to educate Filipinos for global excellence.

In view of the foregoing, | therefore urge my colleagues to ensure the immediate
passage of this bill into law.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. ule

Introduced by Representative JUAN MIGUEL MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
DEVELOPING GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
TEACHERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as "Developing
Globally Competitive Science and Mathematics Teachers Act of FF

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives.- Science and technology are
essential for national development progress. The State shall give priority to science and
technology education, training and services, research and development, invention
innovation and utilization

Pursuant to this policy, the state shall ensure a corps of highly motivated and
competitive science and mathematics teachers by:

(a) Attracting above-average student through scholarship and other incentives to
join the teaching profession as science and mathematics teachers; and by;

(b) Designing and advancing a rewarding professional career for qualified
science and mathematics teachers in the Philippines.

SECTION 3. Benefits and Incentives. - To continually attract above-average
student and baccalaureate graduates of science degree courses who majored in
science or mathematics to join the teaching profession as science and mathematics
teachers, the following incentive shall be provided:

(a) Priority in government scholarship grants, allowances study visits, placement,
publications and research support, wherever appropriate, to teachers and
‘student who enrol in science or mathematics teaching courses;

(b)Temporary waiver of the requirements under Section 13, Article Ill of Republic
Act No, 7836 to undergo the written Licensure Examination for Teachers given
by the Professional Regulation Commission and secure a valid certificate of
registration and professional license from the Commission, to allow new Bachelor
of Science in Education graduates majored in science and mathematics to be
employed as science and mathematics teachers; Provided, that such graduates
shall successfully undergo said licensure examination and secure a valid
certification and professional licence from the Commission within one (1) year
from date of employment.


(c) Within five years from the approval of this Act, baccalaureate graduates of
science degree courses may be recruited to teach science or mathematics in
public or private elementary and secondary schools for not more than three
years: Provided, that indefinite extension or permanent appointment may be
given to science degree graduates who have passed their respective licensure
examinations and earned at least ten (10) units of teaching pedagogy and pass
the licence examination for teachers before being permanently appointed as
science or mathematics teachers;

(d) Specialized continuing education and training in science and mathematics
teachin,

(e) Rewards and recognition in cash or in kind to new Bachelor of Science in
Education graduates who majored in science or mathematics and obtained the
top twenty (20) slots in the licensure examination for Teachers administered by
the Professional Regulation Commission; and

(f) In the case of science and mathematics teachers in public school, a starting
salary grade, two (2) grades higher than that of a regular teacher.

SECTION 4. Salary Adjustments for Incumbent Science and Mathematics
Teachers.- Upon the approval of this Act, the salary grade of incumbent public school
science and mathematics teachers who majored in science or mathematics shall be
increased by two grades. The salary grade of incumbent public school science and
mathematics teachers who did not major in science or mathematics but have been
competently teaching for at least two years, as certified by the school principal and
district supervisor, shall be increased by two (2) grades higher than that of professional
non-science teachers. Such salary increase shall take after they have passed a merit
examination in their field of specialization to be administered by the Department of
Education with the support of the Department of Science and Technology.

SECTION 5. Supplementary Appropriation- A supplementary appropriation in
the amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) is hereby provided to the
Department of Education from the income of the Philippines Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR) on the year this Act is approved. Thereafter, such amounts that
are necessary shall be included in the General Appropriations Act to support the
benefits, incentives, and salary upgrading stated in Sections 3 and 4 of this Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education in cooperation with the Department
of Science and Technology, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations to
carry out the provisions of the Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,