Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RENEE LOUISE M. CO

AN ACT
GRANTING FREE POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION TO PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN STATE COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to give free post-graduate scholarship for public and private
school teachers.

The right of a teacher to professional development is recognized by the 1987
Constitution, the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act 4670), and
the 1996 Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers of the United Nations
Education, Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO) and the International
Labor Organization. The State must therefore make this right a reality by, among
others, ensuring that post-graduate education is free and accessible to public and
private school teachers.

It is a common plaint among teachers in the field that, aside from having no
sufficient time due to heavy teaching and non-teaching-related loads given to them,
they have no money for enrolling in and finishing masteral and doctoral courses. No
post-graduate education means that the chances of promotion are bleak. Since
Philippine teachers, both in public and private schools, are among the most underpaid
in the world, it is very rare for teachers to set aside savings which could be spent for
further education.

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If this bill is enacted, teachers will have a chance to upgrade their educational
and professional growth by affording them post-graduate education in state and local
universities and colleges without the additional financial burden.

For these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

A (Ay,

oO ‘ANTONIO L. TH Rep. RI QUISE M. CO
Teachers Party-List KA IN Party-List

°



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

446

HOUSE BILL

Introduced by
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RENEE LOUISE M. CO

AN ACT
GRANTING FREE POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION TO PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN STATE COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Free Post-Graduate
Education for Teachers Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
the professional growth of public and private schools teachers. The State policy of
promoting and improving teachers’ terms of employment and career prospects in order
that they may compare favorably with existing opportunities in other walks of life and
to attract and retain in the teaching profession more people with the proper
qualifications, it being recognized that advance in education depends on the
qualifications and ability of the teaching staff and that education is an essential factor
in the economic growth of the nation as a productive investment of importance.

SEC. 3. Free post-graduate education in all State Colleges and Universities (SUCs)
and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). Tuition and miscellaneous fees shall
not be charged from teachers during their post-graduate studies.

SEC, 4. Coverage. The right to free post-graduate studies shall be extended to
teachers in public and private schools.


SEC. 5. Eligibility. Public and private school teachers must be active in the service
and have rendered at least two consecutive years of teaching prior to the date of the
application of said grant. They must also they pass the entrance examination and
other admission and retention requirements of the SUCs and LUCS.

SEC. 6. Implementation. The Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) shall be the implementing agencies for this Act and
must, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations necessary to ensure its efficient and effective
implementation, For this purpose, they are hereby mandated to consult teachers”
organizations and accredited teachers’ unions.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary to cary out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations
of CHED, and the SUCs and LUCs. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

The Department of Budget and Management is mandated to include in the
annual national expenditure program the proposals of the SUCs and LUCs necessary
for the grant of the free post-graduate education provided under this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act
is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. Any Laws, decrees, or laws, decrees, or rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby amended or repealed.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the publication
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.