Repubiic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Eulogto “Amang” R. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. Furthermore, the State shalt
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shail take
appropriate steps to make education accessible to all

However, basic education in the country has continuously declined for decades
resulting to skills and competence mismatches, underemployment, and unemployment.
This has hampered economic development. Based on Nationa! Economic Development
Authority (NEDA) reports and other economic indicators, the Philippines’ growth rate is
comparatively low vis-a-vis other countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Nation-buikling relies heavily on accessible and quality education. While our
elementary education is free and compulsory, it must be strengthened to reach world
standards. Thus, considerable investment must be poured in fo the education sector
particularty to earty childhood education.

This bill shall provide an aggressive poticy- direction and equitable funding support
ensuring, therefore, effective and efficient administration of kindergarten programs towards
the first three years of basic education. This measure is a relief for parents and educators as
it encourages the State's commitment to promote the interest of young chikiren.
The educational assistance serves as early education pump-priming by the government and
an investment to its future breed of professionals.

Hence, approval of this proposed measure is eamestly sought.

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE}
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —}
Second Regular Session )

House of Representatives,

House Bilt No. 5726

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

AN ACT PROVIDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC EDUCATION FROM
KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE THREE

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

Section 1. Short Title. This act shail be known as "K to 3 Education Assistance Act of
2012."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect the interest of the
youth and provide adequate social services and an improved quality of life. it shall protect and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at ali levels, and shall take appropriate
steps to make such education accessible to all

Section 3. Administration of Early Education Assistance. The Department of Education
shail be the lead agency and take all steps necessary to create a world class environment of
fearing at the Kindergarten, Grades One, Two and Three or Primary Grade Level and
exhaust ail other means, thereof, to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 4. Teachers Deployment. To avail of the educational assistance, schoo! heads shall
assign teachers with necessary training, competence and expertise in handfing early
education classes. Such teachers must be holders of appropriate professional licenses and
early education specialization certificates from any accredited higher education institution.

Section 5. School Readiness Review. There shail be an assessment process that focuses
‘on how each elementary school develops and implements policies and procedures that create
a school environment and classroom practices that support each child in meeting DepEd and
grade level expectations and challenges, including the academic content standards and
academic achievement standards which supports successful transitions for children and
includes, at a minimum, the needs of the school regarding the use of developmentally
appropriate (including culturally and linguistically appropriate) curricula, classroom materials,
teaching practices, instructional assessments, and appropriate services and supports for
children with disabilities. This shall be done through self assessment and validated by a team
of assessors with appropriate expertise duly designated by the Division Superintendent.

Section 6, School-Community Partnership. There shall be a mechanism for family and
community engagement and practices for building and maintaining a school climate that
supports positive development and improve leaming outcomes jointly crafted by the school
stakeholders.

Section 7. Continuing Professional Development and Capability Building Standards.
The Regional Office shall set the standards for Continuing Professional Development of
Principals/School Heads, Head Teachers, Master Teachers, Teachers, Leaming Facilitators,
and specialized instructional support personne! in the development and leaming of young
chikiren and developmentally appropriate practice including Capability Building for non-


teaching personne

Section 8. Class Size and Classroom Facilities, The Division Office shall ensure that
appropriate student-to-teacher ratios for such children are in place and there is sufficient
teacher and student interactions in the classroom that improve instruction and learning. The
classreotn shall be so designed as to provide conducive leaming environment, ease of
mobility, and facilities of convenience such as but not limited to proper ventilation and comfort
rooms.

Section 9. Other Standards of Practice. The Regional Office shall develop a mechanism to
address issues relating to continuity of high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and well-
aligned standards, curricula, classroom practices, and instructional assessment and support
that cover transitions between program settings such as to coordinate, as appropriate,
services for children before the age of mandatory school entry, who are enrolled in an earty
childhood education program, other services to support leaming and development, and other
providers of services that support leaming and development, such as nutrition, health, and
mental health services.

Section 10. Coordination of Regulations. The Secretary of Education shall work with the
Secretary of Health, and Secretary of Social Welfare and Development to coordinate
regulations promulgated under this Act including reasonable compliance measures.

Section 11. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Separability clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shalt not be affected thereof.

Section 13. Effectivity. This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at least two.
(2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,