Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No..89'70

Introduced by Representatives Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr. , and Jose L. Atienza
Jr.and Irwin C, Tieng (BUHAY Party List)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The British School Manila (BSM), an educational institution owned and operated by the
British Education, Inc, (BEI), has been continuously in operation in the Philippines since its
establishment some thirty-seven (37) years ago in 1976. From its humble beginnings of two (2)
classrooms with 36 students, it now has a purpose designed campus in the Fort Bonifacio Global
City with about a thousand students composed of thirty-eight (38) nationalities, including
Filipinos. Its class sizes are small (16-22) and all its teachers are United Kingdom or
Commonwealth trained and/or experienced. It is proud to uphold the high standard of the British
education system in a school that takes full advantage of its multi-cultural setting.

Since its founding, it has been the vision of BSM to deliver the highest standard of
education in the Philippines for British children and for English-speaking children of Filipinos
and other nationalities. BSM is well-known worldwide for its highest quality British education,
following an adapted form of the English National Curriculum from Nursery to Year 11 designed
to inspire learning through being both relevant and flexible. Its students are groomed and
prepared for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education [GCSE] at 16, and
the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at 18. Based on all comparative assessments,
children who studied in BSM perform well above UK and international expectations.

BSM is fully accredited through the Council of International Schools (CIS)’ which is
considered the premier accreditation agency for international schools worldwide. BSM is also an
accredited IB World School,’ a member of the Federation of British Intemational Schools in
Asia (FOBISIA),’ and a member of the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC), BSM
has thus earned its sacrosanct niche in education not only in the Philippines but worldwide.

The Legislature has, in the past, recognized other schools in the country as educational
institutions of international character, as in the cases of Cebu International School, under
Republic Act No. 9190, and Southville International School, under Republic Act No, 9493.

Other international schools created through legislative or executive fiat were the

The (UIGCSES and GCSES are qualifications taken In years 10 and 11 and examined at the end of Year 11. They are a Uxcbased examinations
used in English and Welsh schools in the UK and British Schools overseas. The ((]GCSEs and GCSEs measure students’ abilities in specific
subjects, Generally, students at OSM will tke up to 12 subjects. Students are awarded grades from A* - G for each specific subject. All
‘examination papers are externally marked inthe UK.
2 wos. org

wow ibo.org
“Formerly known as FOBISSEA; See www. foblssea.org


International School Manila (P.D. No. 732), Adventist International Institute of Advanced
Studies (P.D. No. 2021), and Brent International School (P.D. No. 2022), among others.

In the case of BSM, official government recognition has been extended by the Philippines
Government through a modest document entitled “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU)
executed by and between the Department of Education (DepEd) and British Education, Inc. The
first of such MOU was executed on May 6, 1976, the second, on May 31, 2001 and the latest, on
November 23, 2011, between DepEd Secretary Armin A. Luistro, and BEI’s Andrew Byrne,
Chairman of its Council of Trustees,

‘After its more than four (4) decades of existence, operation and service in this country, it
is high time that the Philippine Government through Congress extends its formal recognition to
BSM as a distinguished educational institution of international character by enacting a law to that
effect

It is for this reason that the undersigned members of the House of Representatives are
proposing this measirgland edmestly seeking its passage.
/

\Hon. Maj i Velarde jr.
as

Jose L. Atienza Jr.

Hon, Irwin C, Tieng


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 89°70

Introduced by Representatives Michael M. Velarde Jr. and Jose L. Atienza Jr., and
Irwin C. Tieng (BUHAY Party List)

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE BRITISH SCHOOL MANILA AS AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER, GRANTING CERTAIN
PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH AS SUCH, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Official Recognition. — The British School Manila, herein referred to as the
‘hool”, operated by the British Education, Inc., is hereby declared and officially recognized as
an educational institution of international character authorized to operate educational programs
that primarily and principally adhere to universally accepted and recognized educational policies.

Sec. 2. Governing Body. — The School shall be governed by a Council of Trustees,
herein referred to as the “Council”, elected in accordance with its corporate charter.

Sec. 3. Grant of Prerogratives. ~ To enable the School to continue carrying out its
educational program, improve its standard of instruction and meet the special needs of the
foreign temporary resident community for quality education, it shall

(a) accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its own
eligibility standards and rules for admission and grade placement;

(b) be managed and administered by a Head of School, who shall possess the
qualifications prescribed by the Council;

(c) upon consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd),
determine its own curriculum, calendar of studies and work schedule and teach
whatever language or languages it may deem proper and determine the amount of
fees and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its students, to maintain
or conform to the School's standard of education;


(@) maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar schools of
generally recognized standing; and

(©) employ its own teaching and management personnel selected by the Council either
locally or abroad, from the Philippines or other nationalities, such foreign personnel
being exempt from laws that impose nationality restrictions on control and
administration of educational institutions, except laws that have been or will be
enacted for the protection of employees: Provided, That such exception shall not
extend to their liability from income taxes.

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules. - The DepEd Secretary shall issue such rules as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 5. Severability. — If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act is
subsequently declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full force and effect

Sec. 6. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

elarde Jr.

Jose L. Atienza Jr.

Hon, Irwin C, Tieng