Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT:
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONG!
First Regular Session

4361

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A UNESCO report recently elucidated on how the Philippines,
among other countries, failed to reach its Year 2015 targets on the
Millennium Development Goals of Education for All. One of the goals set
is for our country to Improve on the Quality of our Education. It
simplifies the four (4) strategies to achieve this and one of which is to
overcome the inequalities in learning by allocating the best teachers to
the most challenging parts of our country. This bill is drafted to respond
to the need to provide more teachers in the rural areas where there is
seemingly a dearth in good teachers that arises in the inequality of the
quality of education of our learners, especially in the public school.

It is envisioned that by establishing a scholarship program for
deserving students who wants to pursue a career in teacher education,
the government shall be developing highly qualified educators to serve in
the remote rural areas of our country. The incentive is for the student to
acquire a four-year full-time scholarship and the security of an
employment upon graduation.

In view of the urgent need to be able to accomplish the MDGs,
though belatedly, the immediate passage-o js earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 4364

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
ENROLLING IN TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES
FOR TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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 as the
“Teacher Education Scholarship Program of 2014”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It 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

SEC. 3. General Objectives. - The 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, as well as
providing them with incentives to pursue a career in teaching in their
home regions or in other rural areas.

SEC. 4. Scholarship Program. - This Act envisions a four-year
full-time scholarship program to be offered to deserving students based
on meritocracy for those eligible who will take up teacher education or
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 graduate of this 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.

SEC. 5. Eligibility and Qualifications. - There shall be an
annual selection through appropriate examinations and screening
process of those who shall be admitted to the Teacher Education
Scholarship Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program. The
candidates shall be chosen from among qualified secondary graduates
whether from the private or public high schools. The qualified and
selected scholars shall be granted scholarship to enroll in a teacher
education course and shall cover 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 is not more
than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) per month or One hundred fifty
thousand pesos (P150,000.00) per year 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.

SEC. 6. General Conditions for Admission to the Scholarship.
A teacher 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 underloading;

c) 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;

d) 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 home region or in any rural public school 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 education course without valid cause; and

) The scholar shall sign an agreement stating the terms and
conditions of the scholarship.

SEC. 6. Secretariat. - The Secretary of Education 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
Secretary of Education. The support staff as may be created shall be
recruited preferably from any accredited teacher organization or the
academe.

SEC. 7. Donations, Grants and Other Contributions. - The
DepEd 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 shall also be allocated to finance the Program.

SEC, 8. Appropriations. - The sum of Fifty Million Pesos
(P50,000,000.00) 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
Department of Education (DepEd) in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty
(60) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall,
in consultation with schools offering education for teachers and other
relevant stakcholders, issue such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. 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.


SEC. 11. 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.

SEC. 12. 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,