HOUSL YF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
pane, 0 8 AUG 2016
Republic of the Philippines -
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVI TINE: Exe \

Quezon City

BY M
17° CONGRESS a

First Regular 2643 RECISTR.ATION UNIT
| BILLS AND ‘NOE X SERVICE

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The role of teachers in nation building cannot be overstated. In no
uncertain terms, they are the molds used to make sure that the next generations
of Filipinos are in shape. The competence and the character of the next leaders
and members of our society are in a great measure, resting on their hands. Given
these overwhelming realities, it is therefore in the state's interest to ensure that
our highly capable teachers are constantly provided the avenue and the tools
that they need to improve on and to perfect their craft. This bill now proposes to
establish a system of mandatory continuing education of teachers in the primary
and the secondary levels in both private and public schools.

Several foreseen benefits for both the teachers and in effect to the
students would be derived from this measure. First is that it would provide
teachers with up-to-date information on their respective fields. We are at a point
in human history where new knowledge is constantly being uncovered at an
unprecedented rate. The state must do all it can in making sure that all these are
systematically passed on to the students. Second is that the proposed program
would also be an avenue to provide teachers with new teaching techniques that
would allow them to more effectively transfer their expertise to their students.
Several breakthroughs in child psychology have birthed new teaching techniques
that better cater to children in this ever-changing world. While the proponent of
this law is a strong advocate of academic freedom and as such believes that
teachers must have a certain level of autonomy in how they conduct their
classes, it is with equal fervor submitted that it would be highly imprudent to not
at least provide our teachers with trainings on these new techniques to arm
them when by their judgment their use are merited. Finally this program, as was
seen in other fields such as in the legal profession, would also be an avenue for
teachers to exchange ideas and provide feedbacks that may lead to much needed
system-wide revisions in the learning institutions.

Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Wes Gatchalian
Representative
1* District of Vlenzuela



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
17 CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2643

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Wes Gatchalian

ANACT
INSTITUTING A PROGRAM FOR THE MANDATORY CONTINUING
EDUCATION OF TEACHERS IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS, IN
BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE

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

SECTION |. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Continuing Education

for Teachers Act

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of teachers in
nation-building and development through a responsible and literate citizenry. It
is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens
to receive quality education, Itis likewise universally recognized Bthat the
teacher is the key to the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process by
drawing out and nurturing the best in the learner as a human being and a
worthy member of society. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to provide
and ensure quality education by strengthening the education and training of
teachers nationwide and equipping them with the necessary training Gland skills
so that they may keep abreast with developments in instructional and teaching
techniques.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:

(a) "Education Activity" shall refer to an organized method of learning
chosen by the Provider to conduct the continuing education of teachers;
(b) “Mandatory Continuing Education” shall refer to a an institutionalized
system whereby teachers shall complete every three years, at least


twenty-four (24) hours to a maximum of thirty-six (36) hours of
mandatory continuing education activities as may be determined by the
executive committee, such as but not limited to; training in professional
education and general education and teaching methods in their field of
specialization;

(c) "Program" shall refer to the system determined by the Department of
Education with which to deliver and implement the continuing
education of teachers;

(d) "Teacher" shall refer to all persons engaged in teaching at the primary
and secondary levels, whether on full-time or part-time basis, and all
other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions
in all schools in the aforesaid levels and qualified to practice teaching
under Republic Act No. 7836.

SEC. 4. Coverage - The National Government shall engage and undertake a
complete and comprehensive national program for mandatory continuing
education for all primary and secondary teachers in both private and public
‘educational institutions as well as formal and non-formal institutions of learning.
Teachers who possess a post graduate degree are not covered by this Act, but
they may voluntarily attend and participate in the program,

SEC. 5. Implementation of the Program, - The Mandatory Continuing Teacher's
Education Program shall consist of at least twenty-four (24) hours to a maximum
of thirty-six (36) hours of mandatory continuing education activities as may be
determined by the executive committee to be preferably conducted at least eight
(8) to twelve (12) hours per day on consecutive days, at the end of every school
year and before the res

uumption of classes. As far as practicable, the program
shall be conducted and provided by the Department of Education in the school
district where the teachers belong,

This section shall in no case, be a restriction on the ability of the Executive
Committee concerned to provide for the manner in which the required hours of
continuing education must be completed.

SEC. 6. Guiding Principles. - In the formulation and implementation of the
program for mandatory continuing education for teachers, the State shall be
guided by the following principles;
(a) The program should include training and practice in the different
techniques, approaches and strategies that would help teachers to plan



and impart instruction, provide appropriate reinforcement and conduct
effective assessment, It shall likewise provide effective classroom
management skills, preparation and use of instructional materials and

communication skills,

well as training in new developments in the
school curriculum;

(b) The State shall ensure that the program for mandatory continuing
teacher education is not only beneficial for the students but must also be
beneficial for the teacher's professional growth and development;

(c) The State shall provide a program that is globally competitive and at the
same time customized and suited to the Philippine education setting;

(4) The program shall be free and no cost shall be passed on to the teachers
for attendance and completion;

(e) The State shall ensure that the continuing education program shall be
implemented in a venue that is accessible and will not cause undue
burden to the teachers. It shall ensure that the venue is accessible by the
usual modes of travel and is at a place which will be most convenient for
teachers;

(f) The program must likewise provide, upon its completion, an assessment
that shall adequately quantify the effectiveness of the program,

SEC. 7. Standards for Education Activities. - All continuing teacher's
education activity must meet the following standards

(a) The activity shall have significant intellectual or practical content, and
the primary objective shall be to increase the participant's professional
competence as a teacher and his or her ability to deliver quality
educational services in an efficient and competent manner;

(b) The activity shall constitute an organized program of learning, dealing
with matters directly related to the practice of teaching, professional
responsibility, or ethical obligations of teachers;

(c) The activity must be constituted of organized programs of learning
related to classroom subjects and other related academic activities that
shall enhance teaching and non-teaching skills, as well as
improvements in writing and oral advocacy.

This section shall in no case, be a restriction on the ability of the Executive
Committee concerned in formulating additional standards and regulations
with regard to the program and education activities.



SECS. The Executive Committee on Continuing Teacher Education. - The
Department of Education shall create their respective Executive Committee
which shall be directly responsible for the effective implementation of this Act
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

‘The Executive Committee in the Department of Education shall be composed of
the Department Secretary, as the ex-officio chairman, and a Commissioner of
the Professional Regulations Commission as an ex-officio member. The
Chairman shall appoint the other members of the committee who shall be
composed of the following;

(a) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher's
organization from Luzon;

(b) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher's
organization from the Visayas;

(0) A public school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized public school teacher's
organization from Mindanao;

(d) A private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher's
organization from Luzon;

(e) A private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher's
organization from the Visayas;

(QA private school teacher chosen from at least three (3) candidates
recommended by a government recognized private school teacher's
organization from Mindanao,

SECS. The Program for Continuing Teacher Education, - Subject to the rules
that shall be adopted by the respective Executive Committees, the program for
continuing teacher's education shall be conducted by the Executive Committee
concerned.

SEC.10. Appropriations. - The amount of One Hundred Million pesos (P
100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act
which shall be incorporated in the Annual Budget of the Department of



Education. Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the implementation of
the program as determined by the Executive Committee of the Department of
Education shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Annual report to Congress. - ‘The Department of Education shall
respectively render an annual report to the Congress reporting on the
accomplishment of the Program.

SEC. 12. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. - Within three (3)
years from the effectivity of this Act and every three (3) years thereafter,
Department of Education shall respectively conduct an assessment on the
impact of the program to the quality of education in the country.

SEC. 13. Implementing Guidelines. - The Executive Committee of the
Department of Education shall respectively issue the rules and regulations to
sions of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days

implement the p
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause, - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national papers of general
circulation.

Approved,