Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

17™ CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No.__6063

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Established in 1976. the British School Manila (BSM), has been a renowned
educational institution which has incessantly and continuously operated in the Philippines
trom the time of its establishment until today.

Owned and operated by the British Education, Inc., at the genesis of its existence, it
began with only thirty-six (36) students at the old Union Church. Four years after. in 1980,
BSM’s student population grew to nearly two thousand and moved its campus to Merville,
Parafiaque.

It has since grown and expanded as a premiere educational institution which now has
more or less a thousand students at its new home in Bonifacio Global City and has opened its
gate and catered to Various nationalities. including Filipino students,

Upholding the highest standards of the British educational system, it is well-adjusted
to a multinational and multi-cultural community with its highly experienced United Kingdom
(UK) or Commonwealth style of teaching.

Its notable accreditation, among others, includes its sixth (6th) year of full
accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS).

The CIS is a leader in the field of school evaluation and accreditation worldwide,
providing unique international accreditation focusing on global citizenship. BSM
membership in the CIS community includes over 550 of the top universities in the world.
BSM is a proud member of the FOBIS:

This humble representation is of the information that BSM is desirous to expand its
gystem to college and university level. delivering the same UK quality of education to the
Philippines ~consequently, it will be cheaper for eamest students. including our own, to
experience the said quality British tertiary education brought here and available in the
Philippines through its transnational education program which also entails UK degree
programs. Prospectively. this also provides opportunities for transnational educational



engagement between UK and the Philippines. quality education and job generation for our
citizenry.

Ultimately, Congress has several times in the past already granted recognition to other
schools in the Philippines as those of international character. Notwithstanding previous
executive recognition by our government, there has yet been any legislative recognition given
by Congress to the BSM in its, more or less. over forty years of existence, operation and
provision of quality education to students.

In view of the foregoing. this Representation most respectfully submits that it is
timely for the Philippines to grant the British School Manila the formal recognition as an
institution of international character — Verily, the immediate passage of this bill is most

carnestly requested and sought.

<~ EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17™ CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6063

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

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

Be it 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 "School", 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 university accepted and
recognized educational policies through its international accreditations from institutions such
as Council of International Schools (CIS) and the International Baccalaureate Office (IBO),
which confer international recognition to stakeholders all over the world. The school shall be
subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations and other issuances issued by the
government and to such limitations as the Department of Education (DepEd) may imposed.

SEC. 2. Members of the School. - The school shall be comprised of the school
personnel or management, students and their parents and/or guardians, whether of the
Philippine or foreign nationality.

SEC. 3. Governing Body. - The school shall be governed by its board of trustees also
known as the Council of Trustees, herein referred to as the "Council", elected in accordance
with the corporation code of the Philippines and its corporate charter. Provided, That, eighty
percent (80%) of its trustees must be residents of the Philippines and forty percent (40%) of
which must be reserved for Filipinos: Provided, further, That the Department of Education
shall determine the qualifications of the trustees.

SEC. 4. Grant of Prerogatives. - To enable the School to continue carrying out its
educational program, improve its standard of instruction and meet the special needs of its
school 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: Provided, That the
school shall not give less priority to the citizens of the Philippines, as its host country by
ensuring that no single alien nationality shall consist more than thirty percent (30%) of the
entire student population in a given school year, as stated in the records of the school.

(b) be managed and administered by a Head of School, who shall possess the
qualifications prescribed by the Council and subject to the approval of the secretary of the
department of education;

(c) upon the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd):
1. Determine its own curriculum;

Il. Endeavor to promote international friendship, goodwill _and
understanding among its students as well as among members of the
foreign and educational community and citizens of the Philippines;

Ill. Establish its calendar of studies and work schedule to maximize
efficiency and maintain, enhance, improve, and promote the quality of
education or instruction it has adopted for the benefit of its students;

IV. Teach whatever language or languages it may deem proper;

¥.. Impose reasonable amount of fees and assessments in accordance with
the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Education.

(d) uphold standards of education compatible, if not superior with those obtaining in
similar schools of recognized international standing;

(c) engage and support the host country through meaningful and reflective service and
provide an atmosphere that creates deep understanding of current issues within the cultural
context; and

(f) employ qualified teaching and management personnel selected by the Council
either locally or abroad, from the Philippines or other nationalities, in accordance with the
qualification standards provided by the department of education; Provided, That fair wages
and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction from Filipino or foreign
hired shall be implemented. Such foreign personnel are 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. 5. Supervision and regulation of the DepEd. - Notwithstanding the recognition
and prerogatives granted under this Act, British School Manila (BSM) shall be under the
supervision and regulation of the DepEd and shall adhere to basic laws, and rules and
regulations of the DepEd governing international or foreign schools.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -- Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the DepEd Secretary or his representative, school's administration,


representatives from the school parents and representative from private educational
associations in coordination with the other government agencies concerned shall issue such
rules as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - 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. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations, or parts
thereof, inconsistent with this decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,