SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. _~2=-,.::1=--=4=--=7_ 
'14 
FEB 27 P 3 :58 
Introduced by SENATORS ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV, PIA S. CAYETANO, 
and LOREN LEGARDA 
The British School Manila (BSM), an educational institution owned and operated by the British 
Education, Inc., has been continuously in operation in the Philippines since its establishment 
some thirly-seven (37) years ago in 1976. From its humble beginnings of two (2) classrooms 
with 36 students, it now has a sprawling campus· in the Fort Bonifacio Global City with about a 
thousand students composed of thirty-eight (38) nationalities, including Filipinos. Its class sizes 
are small (16-22) and all its teachers are United Kingdom or Commonwealth trained andlor 
experienced. It is proud to uphold the high standard of the British education system in a school 
that takes full advantage of its multi-cultural setting. 
Since its founding, it has been the vision of BSM to deliver the highest standard of education in 
the Philippines for British children and for English-speaking children of Filipinos and other 
nationalities. BSM is weB-known worldwide for its highest quality British education, foBowing 
adapted form of the English National Curriculum from Nursery to Year 9 designed to inspire 
learning through being both relevant and flexible. Its students are groomed and prepared for end 
of Key Stage in Primary, International General Certificate of Secondary Education [(I)GCSE]J at 
16, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at 18. Based on all comparative 
assessments, children who studied in BSM perform well above UK and international 
expectations. 
BSM is fully accredited through the Council of International Schools (CIS)2 which is considered 
the premier accreditation agency for international schools worldwide. It is also a member of the 
IB World School,3 Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA),4 and 
International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC). BSM has thus earned its sacrosanct niche in 
education not only in the Philippines but worldwide. 
The Legislature has, in the past, recognized other schools in the country as educational 
institutions of international character as in the case of Cebu International School under Republic 
Act No. 9190 and Stonyhurst Southville International School of Batangas City under Republic 
Act No. 9493. 
Other international schools created through legislative or executive fiat were the International 
School Manila (PD 732), Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (PD 2021), and 
Brent International School (PD 2022), among others. 
In the case of the BSM, official goverument recognition has been extended by the Philippine 
Government through a modest document entitled "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) 
executed by and between the Department of Education (DepEd) and British Education, Inc. The 
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first of such MOU was executed on May 6, 1976, the second, on May 31, 2001 and the latest, on 
November 23, 2011, between DepEd Secretary Armin A. Luistro, and BEl's Andrew Byrne, 
Chairman of its Council of Trustees. 
1 The (I)GCSEs are qualifications taken in years 10 and 11 and !?xamined at the end of Year 11. They are a UK-based 
examination system that is used in English and Welsh schools in the UK and British Schools overseas The (I)GCSEs 
measure students' abilities in specific subjects. Generally, students at BSM will take between 11-13 examll1atlOns. 
Students are awarded grades from A * - G for each specific subject. 
2 www,cois,org 
3 www.ibo,org 


After its more than four (4) decades of its existence, operation and service in this country, it is 
high time that the Philippine Government through Congress extends its formal recognition to 
BSM as a distinguished educational institution of international character by enacting a law to that 
effect. 
' 
It is for this reason that the undersigned members of the Senate are proposing this measure and 
earnestly seeking its immediate passage, 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. __ 
...... 2 ...... 
1-"*4..1.-7 
Introduced by SENATORS ANTONIO "SONNY" F. TRILLANES IV, 
PIA S. CAYETANO, and LOREN B. LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
RECOGNIZING THE BRITISH SCHOOL MANILA AS AN EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTION 
OF 
INTERNATIONAL 
CHARACTER, 
GRANTING 
CERTAIN 
PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH AS SUCH, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Oflicial Recognition. - The British School Manila, herein referred to ,as 
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the "School", operated by the British Education, Inc., is hereby declared and officially 
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recognized as an educational institution of international character authorized to operate 
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educational programs that primarily and principally adhere to universally accepted and 
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recognized educational policies. 
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SEC. 2. Governing Body. -
The School shall be governed by a Council of Trustees, 
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herein referred to as the "Council", elected in accordance with its corporate charter. 
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SEC. 3. Grant of Prerogratives. - To enable the School to continue carrying out its 
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educational program, improve its standard of instruction and meet the special needs of the 
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foreign temporary resident community for quality education, it shall: 
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(a) accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its own 
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eligibility standards and rules for admission and grade placement; 
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(b) be managed and administered by a Head of School, who shall possess the 
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qualifications prescribed by the Council; 
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(c) upon consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), 
determine its own curriculum, calendar of studies and work schedule and teach 
whatever language or languages it may deem proper and determine the amount of 
fees and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its students, to maintain 
or conform to the School's standard of education; 
(d) maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar schools of 
generally recognized standing; and 
(e) employ its own teaching and management personnel selected by the Conncil either 
locally or abroad, from the Philippines or other nationalities, such foreign personnel 
being exempt from laws that impose nationality restrictions on control and 
administration of educational institutions, except laws that have been or will be 
enacted for the protection of employees: Provided, That such exception shall not 
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extend to their liability from income taxes. 
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SEC. 4. L11IR1I?mentiTlK-R1I1e~, -
The DepEd Secretary shall issue such rules as may be 
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necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. Severabi1llli. -
If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act is 
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subsequently declared unconstitutional, 'the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. flffectivitv .. - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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