Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No. 0624

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution declares, “The sustained development of
a reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals,
managers, high-level technical manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen in all fields shall be
promoted by the State.” In addition, Article XIV, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution states,
“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”

‘Throughout the century, the country has been experiencing “brain-drain” phenomenon
Characterized by the growing number of citizens opting to for employment abroad, the teaching
profession has not been spared from this phenomenon. Teachers, especially those employed in
public schools, are not enticed to stay due to relatively low salaries, lack of benefits and career
growth. As a result, public schools have continuously suffered from a lack of teachers. Coupled
with the decrease in the number of students taking up courses in education, the quality of
education in the country will eventually decline, Thus, there is a need to enhance the number and
quality of teachers in public schools in order to give the younger generation a quality education
they rightfully deserve.

In order to combat the lack of teachers, this bill seeks to mandate free primary,
secondary, tertiary and special courses in education and obligate qualified beneficiaries to teach
for a period of time in public schools. By doing so, the effect of “brain-drain” shall be controlled
if not eradicated, Most importantly, the quality of education in the country will be improved by
the addition of more teachers. As a final result, the State will not only sustain growth but also be
a step closer towards the goal of offering quality education for all. Therefore, the immediate
passage of this Bill is sought for

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
‘epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No,__5624

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES 8. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION COURSES IN STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SK

TION 1, Short Title, — This Act shall be known as the “Education Courses Act of 2015”.

SECTION 2. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give priority to education in
order to accelerate social development and promote progress. In line with this, the State shall
increase the number of teachers in State colleges and schools

SECTION 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act

(a) “Free education courses” shall mean any primary, secondary, tertiary and special
education course offered in State colleges and universities;

(b) “State Colleges and Universities” refers to institutions of higher learning, including
specialized schools, maintained and funded by the government;

(©) “Qualified beneficiary” shall mean a person possessing all the qualifications for the grant
of scholarship as determined under the rules and regulations promulgated after the
implementation of this Act

(d) “Tuition fee: shall refer to the fee representing the direct costs of instruction and training
facilities:

(c) “Other School Fees” refers to fees covering other necessary costs supportive of
instruction, including, but not limited to medical and dental, athletic, library and
laboratory fees;

SECTION 4. Free Education Courses — It is hereby mandated the establishment of free
education courses in all State colleges and universities. Qualified beneficiaries intending to
enroll or already enrolled in such courses shall be free from payment of tuition and other school
related fees and shall be entitled to other benefits as may be granted in accordance with such


rules and regulations to be promulgated hereinafter. Provided, that nothing in this Act shall
cause or authorize the diminution or removal of any benefit which the government presently
grants to the beneficiaries.

SECTION 5. Limitations — The right of any beneficiary to avail of the benefits granted in this
Act shall cease if he or she fails any three (3) subjects included in the course curriculum.

SECTION 6. Service Obligations — immediately upon completion of each qualified beneficiary
of his or her education course and acquisition of the required license, he or she shall teach in a
public school, on a full-time basis, in line with his or her degree for a period of four (4) years
For this purpose, the qualified beneficiary shall execute a contract with the Government
incorporating the details of said service obligation.

Any qualified beneficiary who has not passed the licensure examination after three (3) attempts
and who shall thereafter be engaged in another job which involves the application of her degree
or any qualified beneficiary who shall violate the service obligation shall be liable to reimburse
the Government the total amount plus legal interest of the fund as

Act.

stance received under this

TION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and memoranda
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected.

SECTION 9, Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act for the
first five (5) years shall be sourced out from the gross annual revenues of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and thereafter in a special fund to be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Higher Education
IED), shall, within six (6) months after its approval prepare and issue the necessary
guidelines to implement the same

SECTION IL, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,