THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPIJBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
1':stablishing computer literacy programs for students will help ensure that the nation's 
children are receiving the skills needed for advanced education and for securing employment in 
the 21" century. 
Computer literacy skills, such as information gathering, critical analysis, and 
communication with the latest technology, build upon the necessary basics of reading, writing, 
mathematics, and other core subject areas. 
Although an ever increasing amount of schools are obtaining the latest computer 
hardware, schools will not be able to take advantage of the benefits of computer-based learning 
unless teachers are effectively trained in the latest educational software applications. 
Studies show that students whose teachers received training in computers performed 
better than other students. The study also found that schools that provide teachers with 
professional development in computers enjoyed higher staff morale and lower absenteeism rates. 
The purpose of this Act is to enable Philippine schools to use computer hardware to 
increase student achievement and prepare students for the 21" century workplace. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPlJBLIC ) 
01: 
THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam 1)efensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ENABLE PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS TO USE COMPUTER HARDWARE TO INCREASE 
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE 2 1 ST CENTURY 
WORKPLACE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Education for the 21' 
Century Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to give priority to 
education and science and technology to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social 
progress, and promote total human liberation and development. Pursuant to this policy, this Act 
shall enable Philippine schools to use computer hardware to increase student achievement and 
prepare students for the 2lSt century workplace. 
SECTION 3. Computer Literacy Challenge. - 
(A) Grants Authorized - 
(1) In General - The Secretary of Education is authorized to award grants to 
public and private schools that integrate into their curriculum the goal of making all 
elementary school graduates technologically literate. 
(2) Priority - The Secretary shall give preference in awarding grants under this 
section to public schools. 


(B) Uses of Funds - Grants awarded under this section shall be used for teacher training 
in technology, with an emphasis on programs that prepare one or more teachers in each 
elementary and secondary school to become technology leaders and then serve as experts and 
train other teachers. 
(C) Matching Funds - Each city or municipality is encouraged to provide matching fimds 
for the schools that receive assistance under this section, with respect to the cost of teacher 
training in technology to be assisted under this section, in order to enhance the impact of the 
teacher training and to, help ensure that all elementary school graduates in the city or 
municipality are technologically literate. 
SECTION 4. High-Quality Educational Sofhuare for All Schools. 
(A) Competitive Grants Authorized - The Secretary of Education is authorized to award 
grants, on a competitive basis, to students in secondary schools and institutions of higher 
education, working with faculty of an institution of higher education, software developers, and 
experts in educational technology, for the development of high-quality educational software and 
Internet websites by such students, faculty, developers, and experts. 
(B) Recognition - 
(1) In General - The Secretary of Education shall recognize outstanding 
educational software and Internet websites developed with assistance provided under this 
section. 
(2) Certificates - The President is requested to, and the Secretary shall, issue an 
official certificate signed by the President or the Secretary (or both), to each student and 
faculty member who develops outstanding educational software or an Internet websitc 
recognized under this section. 
(3) Focus - The educational software or Internet websites that are recognized 
under this section shall focus on core curriculum areas. 
(4) Judges -The Secretary shall designate official judges to recognize outstanding 
educational software or Internet websites assisted under this section. 


(C) Priority - 
(1) First Year - For the first year that the Secretary awards grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to awarding grants for the development of 
educational software or Internet websites in the areas of mathematics, science, and 
reading. 
(2) Second and Third Years - For the second and third years that the Secretary 
awards grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to awarding grants for 
the development of educational software or Internet websites in the areas described in 
paragraph ( 1 )  and in social studies, the humanities, and the arts. 
(D) Downloading - Educational software recognized under this section shall be made 
available to local educational agencies for free downloading from the Department of Education's 
Internet website. Internet websites recognized under this section shall be accessible to any user 
of the World Wide Web. 
SECTION 5. 
Appropriations. 
Such sums as may be necessary for the initial 
iinplcmcntation of this Act shall be takcn from the current appropriations of the Ilcpartmcnt of 
Education. Thereafter, the fund necessary to carry out the provisions 01 this Act shall be 
includcd in the annual Gencral Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - In any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repmaling Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 


SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/jab