Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No._'7186

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Voluntary accreditation has been used by private schools as a means of ensuring quality
education. Accreditation as a form of peer review, establishes the criteria to encourage
maintenance of standards among different private schools. After analyses of the
qualifications of a particular institution, a certification can be issued as evidence that it
passes a certain standard, which is above the minimum qualifications for government

recognition.

The State has a stake in developing and improving quality of education in private institutions,
given the complementary role of private schools in education. Voluntary accreditation
pushes private schools to exceed the minimum standards and guidelines required in light of
the assurance to the public that they offer higher quality. Despite their contribution, the
voluntary accreditation movement has not received any financial assistance from the
government.

This bill hopes to motivate more private schools to undergo accreditation, as
‘support for accrediting bodies in order to encourage quality improvement.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most eames


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bitno. 7186

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” C:

“AN ACT ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION OF
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Voluntary Accreditation of Private
‘Schools Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution recognizes the importance of education for
the nation’s development and progress. Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution provides that
itis the policy of the State to give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture,
and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development. Article XIV Section 1 further provides that 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.

SEC. 3. Membership of private schools in accrediting associations or agencies shall be
encouraged as a scheme to promote high standards of education.

‘SEC. 4. Without prejudice to the authorization of other accrediting agencies in the future by
the Department of Education (DepEd) and/ or Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
following shall be the officially recognized accrediting bodies to conduct accreditation
activities:

The Philippine Association of Accrediting Agencies of Schools, Colleges and

Universities (PAASCU);

b) The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities-Commission on Accreditation
(PACU-COA);

©) The Association of Christian Schools and Colleges Accrediting Association Inc
(ACSC-AAI);

d) The Accrediting Association of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines

(AACCUP);


SEC. 5. Without prejudice to the internal rules promulgated by the accredited agency, the
accreditation process, in general, shall be:

(a) Institutional self-evaluation

(b) Self-evaluation for the program to be applied for accreditation

(©) Preliminary visit

(d) Formal survey visit

(@) Decision by the governing board of the accrediting agency

(f) Notification about lapses, shortcomings, and/or failure to meet a certain standard or
requirement for a particular accreditation level to give the school reasonable time and
opportunity to comply or meet the deficiency.

(g) The accrediting agency will submit its decision for accreditation within six months
from the last formal survey visit, stating a comprehensive and detailed report of the
evaluation.

SEC. 6. The DepEd or CHED, as the case may be, shall allocate an amount for the subsidy
or funding assistance of accreditation activities by the different accrediting bodies for efficient
administration and implementation.

‘SEC. 7. In coordination with the DepEd and CHED, the accrediting bodies shall promulgate
the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective and immediate implementation of
this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, or issuances,
or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afer its publication in the
Official Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.