Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8010

Introduced by Manila Teachers Representative
VIRGILIO S. LACSON

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution provides:
“The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total
liberation and development”

In the same tenor, Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution further affirms:
“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”

From these State Principles enshrined in the Constitution, the State recognizes the vital role of
quality education in nation-building through the creation of a more responsible, skilled and
literate citizenry. To achieve such ends, the State must ensure that existing facilities and learning
spaces that are used by our young learners are conducive to quality learning.

However, classrooms in the Philippines remain one of the most crowded in the region according
to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ~ Institute for
Statistics. While it is notable that the Department of Education has recently reported of its
attainment of its target 1:35 teacher-student ratio, the experience on the national scale is not
uniformed and consistent. Schools in the provinces remains overcrowded which take rigorous
physical and professional toll on teachers which result in mediocre learning delivery due to a
disruptive class evironment.

This bill seeks to institutionalize an ideal class size of no more that 30 students. Any class
exceeding 30 students up to a maximum of 45 students shall be considered a large class and
prohibits class size of more than 45 students. Teachers of large classes shall receive additional
compensation equivalent to five (5%) percent of their daily rate.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is respectfully sought

a
VIRGILAO S. LACSON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL Nt 8010

Introduced by Manila Teachers Representative
VIRGILIO S. LACSON

AN ACT
STANDARDIZING THE APPROPRIATE CLASS SIZE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Standard Class Size for Public Schools
Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the
right of all citizens to quality education by ensuring that students are given the appropriate
environment that is conducive for learning and that public school teachers are provided
appropriate teaching conditions.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all public schools and public school teachers under
the jurisdiction of the Department of Education

SEC. 4, Standard Class Size. — All classes in all public schools nationwide shall have a
international class size standard of 30 students, Classes exceeding 30 students up shall be
considered a large class,

SEC. 5. Large Class Size. — Any class exceeding 30 students up to a maximum of 45 students
shall be considered a large class. In no case shall a class size in excess of 45 students be
permitted.

SEC. 6. Additional Compensation for Large Class Size Teachers. — A teacher handling a large
class shall be entitled for additional compensation equivalent to five percent (5%) of her daily
rate for every student in excess of the standard class size of 30,


SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education shall promulgate
the rules and regulations necessart for the implementation of this Act within a period of thirty
(30) days after its effectivity

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall
be included in the annual appropriations under the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional
or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and other issuances
inconsisted with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,