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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
7 JUL -3 
P4 :26 
S E N A T E  
s. B. NO. 855 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our 1987 Constitution provides that "the State shall protect and promote 
the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate 
steps to make such education accessible to all". 
According to the human capital theory principle, the economic 
development of a nation is a function of the quality of its education. The modern 
world in which we live is often termed a "knowledge society" in the sense that 
education and information have become production factors. In this rapidly 
globalizing economy, mathematics and science are the bases for almost every 
technical competence in the modern marketplace, including fields as diverse as 
computer programming, physics, engineering and manufacturing. As a result, 
cultivating a workforce with strong Mathematics and Science skills is necessary 
to keep the country competitive in the global arena. 
The Philippine Daily Inquirer, in its May 29, 2005 issue, stated that despite 
the Constitutional mandate for the government to spend the largest share of its 
national budget on education, the achievement test results on science and math 
reflect a low level of learning on the part of most Filipino public school children. In 
March 2004, all fourth year high school students were given a National 
Achievement Test (NAT) in Science and Math as a way of determining their 
levels of preparation for university or the world of work. Overall, the average 
score for Science was 36.8 percent and for Math was 46.2 percent, versus the 
benchmark passing grade of 75 percent. Clearly, these scores are not levels of 
learning that will help our children become productive and competitive adults. 
Moreover, the current performance of our country's students in science 
and math lags behind their international peers and not enough students are 


pursuing careers in science and mathematics. Last 2003, in one international 
comparative survey test where the Philippines participated in the Trends in 
International Math and Science Survey (TIMSS), our Filipino school-children 
fared poorly in math and science. The Philippines ranked 36 out of, 39 countries 
with an average significantly lower than the international average in Math. In 
Science, the results were similar. Furthermore, our country average was 
significantly lower than the international average in both tests. This data indicate 
an almost unchanged status from the 1999 TIMMS figures. 
Indeed, the country is lagging behind its ASEAN counterparts in the fields 
of science and mathematics and faces serious challenges from highly educated 
foreign competitors. In the field of science, it has been shown that our students 
have not mastered the skills ranging from understanding or internalizing scientific 
data and information, to explaining specific scientific theory or laws, to being able 
to do the necessary calculations to solve scientific problems or to substantiate 
theory. In the field of mathematics, high school seniors have the most difficulty in 
using formula to solve specific problems or to calculate certain results. The ability 
to manipulate numbers and equations (e.g. algebra) is weak. The ability t o think 
conceptually and spatially (e.g. geometry and trigonometry) is even weaker. 
Problem solving using mathematical concepts and established logic and 
equations is poor. 
While research studies have shown that teacher quality is the most 
important factor in determining high student achievement in mathematics and 
science and that highly-trained mathematics and science teachers are needed in 
all classrooms across the nation in order to move our country towards 
competitiveness in the global economy, the problem lies in the fact that college 
graduates with strong mathematics or science backgrounds have many career 
opportunities that are more financially attractive than teaching. Individuals who 
are strong in mathematics and science need financial incentives and professional 
development for proper recruitment and retainment in their teaching career. 
We, as a country, has to do something if we are to build a foundation for 
development, growth and equity to deal with our many problems that range from 
eradicating poverty to being internationally competitive. 
This proposed measure seeks to mainstream the need to develop a 
competitive and quality education program that will improve the teaching of 


Science and Mathematics in our country. Towards this end, this bill will provide 
scholarship and training programs for Math and Science teachers to pursue post- 
graduate studies in order to further equip them with skills and knowledge in their 
field of teaching. 
Finally, this bill seeks to establish a Mathematics and Science Fellowship 
Trust Fund in order to fund the programs of DepEd in implementing the 
provisions of this measure. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
MAN 
@ Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
9 juL -3 P 4  2 6  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S.B.NO. 855 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
TO INSTITUTE A COMPETITIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE MATHEMATICS 
AND SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS FOR GLOBAL 
COMPETITIVENESS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Math and 
Science Teachers Competitiveness Act of 2007”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Science and technology are essential for 
national development progress. As such, it is the policy of the State to build up 
the competitiveness of the teaching pool in the country in the field of science and 
mathematics in order to improve the quality of education in the country. Pursuant 
to this, the State shall improve the Filipino student academic achievement in 
science and mathematics by establishing the mechanisms to recruit, prepare and 
train math and science teachers to improve the quality of math and science 
education given to our students. 
SEC. 3. Math and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers. - There is 
hereby established a Mathematics and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers 
to be administered by the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve the 
competitiveness and teaching skills of our science and mathematics teachers all 
over the country. This program is being established to ensure that our primary 
and secondary school students are taught by well-trained mathematics and 
science teachers who are equipped with comprehensive knowledge in the 
subject area in order to significantly improve mathematics and science 
achievement scores of our students. Towards this end, the DepEd shall carry 
out a program lo award grants to eligible individuals with scholarships and to 
develop and implement academic programs designed to recruit and empower 
mathematics and science teachers in the country. 
SEC. 4. Distribution of Awards. - The DepEd, in awarding said 
scholarship grants, shall consider the distribution of awards among eligible 
individuals of regions and geographic locations. 
(a) Merit Review. - The Scholarship Grants to Mathematics and Science 
Teachers, as provided for under this Act, shall be given on a competitive and 
merit reviewed basis. The criteria for an award under this Act shall include the 
impact of the award on the overall geographic distribution of the program with the 
objective of avoiding undue concentration of scholarship awards. 


(b) Use of Grants. - The Scholarship Grants provided under this Act shall 
be used by the Department of Education to develop and implement a program to 
further train mathematics, science, and engineering teachers to become effective 
mathematics and science teachers, through developing and offering post- 
graduate academic degree programs in one or more fields of science, 
mathematics, and engineering that will prepare the teachers to become certified 
and licensed to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools: and by 
providing professional development programs and mentoring activities to 
scholarship recipients, both before and after they receive their degree, to enable 
the recipients to become better mathematics and science teachers. 
(c) Application Process. - Any eligible individual who desires to be a 
recipient of the Mathematics and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers 
(MSFPT), as provided for under this Act, shall submit an application to any of the 
Regional and Provincial Offices of the Department of Education in such manner 
and accompanied by such information as the Department of Education may 
require. 
(d) Recruitment and Selection of Eligible Individuals for Math and Science 
Fellowship Program for Teachers (MSFPT). - The DepEd shall recruit eligible 
individuals for the Math and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers (MSFPT). 
Scholarship Grants provided under this Act shall be available to teachers who 
are teaching in the field of science, mathematics, or engineering. 
Eligible individuals shall be selected to receive scholarships primarily on 
the basis of academic merit, with consideration given to financial need and to the 
goal of promoting the participation of individuals in pursuing a teaching career in 
the field and science and mathematics. 
In this line, the Department shall establish criteria to ensure that 
individuals who receive MSFPT under this Act shall - 
possess a comprehensive knowledge of the subject area 
to be taught as evidenced by a satisfactory rating on a 
standard test; 
demonstrate mastery of 
mathematics or science 
pedagogy and have a strong record of positively affecting 
academic 
achievement, 
as 
demonstrated 
by 
observations from supervisors and student data; 
has been teaching mathematics or science in a public 
primary and secondary school for not less than 3 years; 
possess certification in the field and level in which the 
individual primarily taught during the 3 years preceding 
the year for which the determination is made; 
is employed as a full-time, primary and secondary 
mathematics or science teacher in an academic 
institution duly accredited by the Department; and 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
possess other attributes that are linked to effective 
teaching, as defined by the Department 


(e) Coverage of the Scholarship. - The coverage of the scholarship to be 
awarded to mathematics and science teachers shall include tuition fees, book 
allowance, reasonable stipend and transportation allowance. The maximum 
years of scholarship grant shall be determined by DepEd based on the nature of 
the postgraduate academic degree. 
(f) Academic Performance of the Scholar. - The Scholarship Grant for 
Mathematics and Science Teachers shall be terminated for individuals who fail to 
maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution 
in which the individual is enrolled, as determined by the Department. (6) defined 
by the Department. 
(9) Appropriation. - To implement the provisions of this section, there is 
hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Education the amount 
of Php 100,000,000.00 to be used exclusively for the implementation of the 
Mathematics and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers, as defined under 
this Act. 
SEC. 5. Service Obligations of the Scholars. - A recipient of the 
scholarship programs provided for in this Act shall be required after graduation 
from the post-graduate degree program for which the scholarship was awarded, 
to undertake a teaching-year-service as a mathematics or science teacher to 
hidher parent institution equivalent to two (2) years for every year of scholarship 
grant. 
As a pre-condition of acceptance of the Mathematics and Science 
Fellowship Grant for Teachers, as provided for under this Act, a recipient shall 
enter into an agreement with the Department of Education - 
(a) accepting the terms oft tie scholarship pursuant to guidelines set forth 
by the Department; 
(b) agreeing to teach as at full-time? science or mat1 1 teacher to higher 
parent institution equivalent to two (2) years for every Year of the scholarship 
award after completing the course of study for which the applicant received a 
scholarship grant; 
(c) agreeing to provide the Department with annual certification of 
employment and up to-date contact information and to participate in surveys 
provided by the Department of Education as part of an ongoing assessment 
program; and 
(d) agreeing that in the event that the recipient is determined to have failed 
or refused to carry out such service obligation, the sum of the amounts of such 
fellowship grants will be treated as a loan and collected from the applicant in 
accordance with guidelines and regulations set forth by the Department. 
SEC. 6. Conditions to Determine Failure to Complete Service Obligation. - 
The following conditions are herewith provided as benchmarks in determining 
whether the scholar has failed to complete the service obligation. 
If an individual who has received a scholarship under this section: 
(a) withdraws from the post-graduate degree program for which the award 
was made before the completion of such program; 


(b) declares that the individual does not intend to fulfill the service 
(c) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the individual, as provided under 
obligation under this Act; or 
this Act. 
SEC. 7. Required DepEd Clearance. - An on-going Mathematics and 
Science Fellowship Grant for Teacher (MSFGT) scholar who has not completed 
her/his scholarship service obligation but will travel out of the country shall be 
required to secure a MSFGT Travel Clearance from the Department of 
Education. The scholar shall submit to DepEd pertinent travel plan, reason for 
travel, destination, duration of travel and a guarantee of herlhis return. The 
scholar is likewise required to sign a document of hislher willingness to 
reimburse to the DepEd the amount equivalent to the period left unserved in case 
scholar fails to return to the country. 
After having fully served the service obligations in relation to the MSFGT 
Scholarship, as provided for under this Act, the scholar hall secure a MSFGT 
Final Clearance from the Department of Education. The MSFGT Final Clearance 
shall be presented to the NBI, DFA, and BID to have herlhis name cleared for 
issuance of NBI clearance for local employment or travel abroad and passport or 
clearance to travel out of the country. 
SEC. 8. Renewal of Math and Scienco Master Fellowships. - A recipient of 
the Mathematics and Science Fellowship Program for Teachers who has 
completed the service requirement of hislher contract may be all’owed to re-apply 
again and avail of the scholarship programs provided under the Mathumatics and 
Science Fellowship Program for Teachers. 
SEC. 9. Creation of a Mathematics and Science Fellowship Trust Fund. - 
There is hereby established in the Department of Education (DepEd) a trust fund 
in the initial amount of Php 300,000,000.00 
pesos to be knowin as the 
“Mathematics and Science Fellowship Trust Fund”, hereafter referred to as the 
“MSFGT Fund” to be administered by the Department of Education (DepEd). 
a) Investment of Trust Fund. - The Department shall direct the Treasurer 
of the Philippines of the Bureau of the Treasury to invest and reinvest funds in 
the Mathematics and Science Fellowship Trust Fund in public debt securities with 
maturities suitable for the needs of the Trust Fund, and bearing interest at rates 
determined by the Bureau of the Treasury, taking into consideration the current 
average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the country of 
comparable maturities. Interest learned shall be credited to the MSFGT Fund. 
b) The income accruing from the MSFGT Fund principal shall be used to 
contribute to the funding of scholarships awarded pursuant to the provisions of 
this Act. 
SEC. IO. Annual Appropriation. - The DepEd shall include in its annual 
programming and annual appropriation the amount necessary to fully implement 
the vision and objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 11. Review and Evaluation. - Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the DepEd shall submit to both Houses of Congress a 
report that evaluates the effectiveness of the Science and Mathematics 
Fellowship Program for Teachers, as envisioned under this Act. Towards this 
end, the DepEd shall convene an Annual Conference of Science and Math 


Teachers to foster collaboration and further disseminate information on the state 
of mathematics and science education in the country. 
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within three (3) 
months from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), in 
cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall formulate the necessary 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,