Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1262

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There remains the need for more dedicated teachers in the public school system,
especially in the remote rural areas. The lack of teaching personnel in the country has
been a long-time problem and the demand is still high despite the recent hiring of
additional teachers '. The difficulty of this scenario is best illustrated by the current
disproportionate teacher-student ratio and class sizes reaching up to 70 students per
class.

This bill intends to incentivize teacher education and encourage a career in
teaching by providing scholarship grants to students enrolling in teacher
education. At least ten (10) qualified candidates per province each year shall be
chosen to benefit from the proposed program and shall be granted scholarship
covering all school expenses. In turn, graduates of the program, after getting
their Bachelor of Arts or Science in Education, must render service to teach in
any public elementary or secondary school in their home region or in any rural
public school for at least five (5) years.

Reforms, such as the freeing up of the costs of education, have been recently placed
to fulfill our Constitutional mandate to protect and promote the right of all citizens to
quality education at all levels. This can only be truly achieved if we have teachers in
place and joining the profession is supported and encouraged.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS R MUND F/VILLAFUERTE, JR.

hitps://www.rappler.com/nation/146520-deped-2017-b get-hirinykeachers
* http:/newsinfo. inquirer.net/60775S/school-heads-cede-offlces-to-classes-626-metro-public-schools-



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.1262

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO STUDENTS ENROLLING IN
TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR TEACHING IN
LIC
SCHOOLS

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 2017".

SECTION 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.

SECTION 3. General Objectives. — A 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 to provide said students with incentives to
pursue a teaching career in their home regions or in other rural areas.

SECTION 4. Scholarship Program. — This Act envisions a four-year fulltime Teacher
Education Scholarship Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, to be offered
to deserving students, based on meritocracy for those eligible, who will take up
teacher education of 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 graduates of the Program shall render services and be integrated into any public
school in their home region or other rural public elementary or secondary schoo! in
the Philippines as provided for under Section 6 of this Act.

SECTION 5. Eligibility and Qualifications. — Without prejudice to the minimum
requirements set forth in Republic Act No. 10687 or the Unified Student Financial
Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act, there shall be an annual
selection through appropriate examinations and screening processes of those who
shall be admitted to the Program. The candidates shall be chosen from among
qualified secondary graduates, whether from the private or public high schools. The
qualified and selected scholar shall be granted scholarship to enroll in a teacher
education course covering 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 falls below the official poverty
threshold as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority 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.

SECTION 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 under-loading;

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;