SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Fist Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2124 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
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'14 
FEB 17 P 3 :38 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
UTILIZATION 
OF 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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Explanatory Note 
The advent of the internet can be likened to the invention of Gnttenberg's printing press. 
Similar to how the printing press ushered in the human race from the Dark Ages to the New Age, 
the internet is ushering humankind into a world unhampered by borders. Modem Information 
and Communication Technologies (lCT) such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), mobile phones, 
computers, and laptops allow easier and faster access to timely information which is necessary in 
a rapidly globalizing and competitive world. 
"(JCTs) greatly facilitate the acquisition and absorption of knowledge, offering 
developing countries unprecedented opportunities to enhance educational 
systems, improve policy formulation and execution, and widen the range of 
opportunities for business and the poor. One of the greatest hardships endured by 
the poor, and by many others who live in the poorest countries is their sense 01' 
isolation. The new communication technologies promise to reduce that sense of 
isolation, and to open access to knowledge in ways unimaginable not long ago. " 
• 
World Bank (1998), The World Development 
Report quoted in Blurton, c., New Directions of 
JCT - Use in Education 
In line with the goals set forth in the country's K to 12 Program, particularly for the 
secondary level, the utilization of modem technology would better equip students with faculties 
necessary in preparation for tertiary education and for the increasingly competitive labor market. 
As of School Year 2012-2013, the number of students enrolled in the 5,130 secondary 
level private schools was at 1.4 milli,l11, while in the 7, 470 secondary level public schools 
enrollment was at 5.6 millionl. Many' of the private schools in the country have long since 
supplemented classroom learning with ICT such as the use of computers and multimedia 
projectors for a more effective and efficient learning experience. They have also incorporated 
computer and internet education in their curricula while public schools have to wrestle with 
dated computers that are not even commensurate to the number of students enrolled in public 
secondary schools. 
Computer and internet literacy is hard currency in most industries and in today's labor 
market. Students who do not have access to computers and to the internet could potentially have 
I Department of Education Basic Education Fact Sheet as of October 2013 


, 
slim chances of securing a job as opposed to students in most private schools who have had 
experience with leT and training in search, retrieval and processing of information sourced from. 
the internet. 
The internet and computer use are part and parcel of globalization where the youth is 
undonbtedly at the forefront. The burgeoning youth population of the country grapple with the 
ever increasing qualifications of landing a job and limiting them from fully harnessing the 
capabilities that leT offers will surely leave them lagging behind in personal growth and in the 
labor market. 
With a rapidly digitizing world, it is imperative that traditional learning methods be 
supplemented with leT to allow more efficient learning in classrooms. Equipping public high 
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schools with computers and Wi-Fi is a challenge that not just means being at par with 
counterparts in private schools-but it is about giving students in public secondary schools equal 
opportunity to make use of leT, which is a growing need in today's society. Providing public 
high schools with leT is not the sole solution to problems of unemployment, but is a definite 
step to ensuring that the Filipino youth is competitive in the rapidly changing world 
characterized by the introduction of new technologies that lead to a "knowledge-based economy" 
where education drives growth, increases productivity, and creates jobs. 
In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
IFMAP 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Fist Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'14 
fEB 17 P 3 :38 
SENATE 
S. No. 2124 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
UTILIZATION 
OF 
INFORMATION 
AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "ICT in Education Act of 
2 
2014". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. - It shall be the policy of the State to 
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provide quality education that is accessible to all citizens. Furthennore, the State shall also 
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establish and maintain an education system that is relevant to the needs of society. 
6 
This Act shall attain the following objectives: 
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A. Provide public high schools with computer facilities including a stable wireless 
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network and equipment necessary for easier access to information; 
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B. Train educators to supplement traditional classroom learning with Information and 
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Communication Technology (ICT); 
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C. Replace out-dated textbooks with up-to-date electronic books; and 
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D. Have an online shared currkulum among public high schools to ensure that students 
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even in rural areas will be given the same quality of education. 
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SEC, 3. ICT in Public High Schools - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall use 
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appropriate and effective ICT in public high schools to broaden access to basic education, 
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improve the quality of learning, enhance the quality of teaching, and improve educational 
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planning and management. 
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SEC. 4. Physical and Technological Infrastructure. - Within a period of six (6) years, all 
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public high schools shall establish at least one (I) Computer Center with a stable internet 
. . 
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connection that will provide and ensure the access of students to the internet. The schools shall 
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avail of the services of existing commercial internet providers and shall establish and maintain a 
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computer facility system which should have, at the minimum, the following equipment: 
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A. Desktop Personal Computer (PC); 
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B. Wireless Broadband Router; 
C. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS); 
D. Computer Printer; and 
E. Multimedia Projector 
The number of computer units for the Computer Center of each public high school will 
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be based on the standards provided for by the DepEd in consultation with the National Computer 
30 
Center (NCC) and with each respective public high school. 
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SEC. 5. Trainingfor Educators and Maintenance oflCT. - The Regional Offices of the 
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DepEd and the NCC shall carry out training for educators in public high schools to integrate ICT 
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in classroom learning, to instill in educators the professional and educational benefits of 
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investment in ICT, and to allow educators to have mastery of sourcing out appropriate resources 
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for high school education. 
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The aforementioned agencies shall monitor the use and upkeep of the ICT introduced in 
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public high schools. 
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SEC. 6. Utilization of lCT in Classroom Learning and in Computer Centers. - Educators 
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in public high schools shall make full use of ICT as presentation tools to complement traditional 
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teaching methods. Presentation tools may include, but shall not be limited to, multimedia 
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projectors, television and guided internet surfing where the educator and the students will be able 
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to view internet sites simultaneously. 
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Computer Centers in public high schools should be made available to students for 
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training on computer and internet use, and for research purposes. 
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SEC. 7. Computerization of Administrative Systems. - The DepEd with the technical 
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assistance of the NCC shall develop an ICT -based administrative system that will enhance 
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organizational communication; facilitate gathering, analysis; dissemination, and maintenance of 
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educational statistics; and streamline office procedures. 
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SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of 
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the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the National 
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Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, funds for its implementation shall be included 
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in the regular appropriations of the Department of Education. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
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thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 11. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
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