EXPLANATORY NOTE

Laws related to education largely involve teachers in the public educational
system. Republic Act No. 4670, Republic Act No. 5168 and Republic Act No. 6758 are
examples of these legislated enactments as they directly affect public school teachers or
employees in government.

Likewise, there is a dearth of laws that focuses on the tertiary level of education
in so far as it concerns the recruitment or qualification requirements for those interested
to teach at the college level, either in public or private colleges or universities.

Perhaps, it is high time to push for a uniform set of criteria in so far as the
qualification requirements for those who would teach in college is concerned, be it in
private colleges or universities. This way, there can be a level playing field amongst
college faculty members in terms of their recruitment allowing even some to cross from
one to the other. For example, a college professor in a private university may also qualify
in a state college or university and vice versa.

It is important to prescribe qualification standards that would in tum determine
their position classification for purposes of the salary scale they rightfully deserve,
whether they teach in government-funded colleges or universities or those privately-run

This bill, on purpose, jumps off from the recruitment criteria set forth under
Republic Act No. 4670 in so far as Sec. 3 (a), (b), (c) since these concerned only the
requirements imposed for teachers who teach at kindergarten and elementary grades,
secondary schools, and secondary vocational and two years technical courses. In
effect, this bill further breaks up Sec. 3 (d) of said RA but this time totally changing the
complexion from public to private to become uniform for both.

Author of this bill has in mind setting the minimum educational or academic
qualifications for teacher-applicants at the college or university level given the absence
of well-established benchmark. The positive externality that may result from this
prospective law is that it may effectively raise the quality of education in both public and
private educational systems thereby helping address the problem of so-called ‘diploma

mills’.
a


The immediate passage of this bill will benefit all profe rivate or state
colleges or universities and it shall have an equal

government's efforts to provide quality college
‘students in general.

jucation for the youth an¥ all college

Henceforth, passage of this bill prays for an all-out-support from/ all sectors
concerned.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING UNIFORM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS IN
COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the ‘Uniform Qualification
‘Standards for Teachers in Colleges or Universities Act of 2013

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. ~ It is the declared policy of the State to
build a just and humane society that toward this end, the promotion of the general
welfare is essential for their enjoyment.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all teachers teaching in colleges or
universities, be them private or state colleges or universities with the end in view of a
fairly standard level of quality education accessible to students and teachers alike

SEC. 4. Recruitment and Qualification. Recruitment policy with respect to the
selection and appointment of teachers, either in private or state colleges or universities,
shall be clearly defined by the Commission on Higher Education: Provided, however,
That effective upon the approval of this Act, the following shall constitute the minimum
educational qualifications for teacher-applicants:

(a) for teachers in the undergraduate level, bachelor’s degree in a field of
specialization related to the subject or course taught

(b) for teachers in the graduate level, master’s degree in a field of
specialization related to the subject or course taught

(c) for teachers in the post-graduate level, doctoral degree in a field of
specialization related to the subject or course taught

Provided , further, That any private or state college or university may require additional
qualification requirements such as giving preference to honor graduates from any
college or university or higher institution of learning or top placers in licensure bar or
board examinations and those who graduated from top foreign schools counterparts
and/or administering the requisite written and/or oral examinations and interviews.


Provided, further, That other appointment to positions within the college or university's
organizational or corporate structure, it shall be decided by way of other prescribed
criteria or measurements borne out of tradition or practice by concerned college or
university or by generally accepted scientific measurements

SEC. 5. Remuneration and Hours of Teaching. - Any teacher who works at
least four hours of classroom teaching a day shall be remunerated in accordance with
his regular remuneration and in excess of which, he shall be compensated with a plus
twenty-five percent of his regular remuneration as those not engaged in actual
classroom instruction who perform in excess of four hours.

SEC. 6. Criteria for Salaries. - Teachers’ salaries shall correspond to the
following criteria:

(a) they shall compare favorably with those paid in other occupations requiring
equivalent or similar qualifications, training and abilities;

(b) they shall be such as to insure teachers a reasonable standard of life for
themselves and their families;

(c) they shall be properly graded so as to recognize the fact that certain positions
require higher qualifications and greater responsibility than others; Provided,
however, That the general salary scale shall be such that the relation between
the lowest and highest salaries paid in the profession will be of reasonable
order. Narrowing of the salary scale shall be achieved by raising the lower end
of the salary scales relative to the upper end.

SEC. 7. Equality in Salary Scale. The salary scales of teachers across the
Philippine educational system in so far as providing quality college education is
concerned, shall not be less than those provided for teachers both by the government or
private sector. mS

SEC. 8. Implementing Agency. - The Commission on Higher Education ina
coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission shall issue appropriate
guidelines, rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions under
this Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders and their
implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder of this Act or any other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force or
in effect.

SEC. 11. This Act shall take effect sixty (60) days upon its approval and its
Publication in the Official Gazette and in at least three (3) newspapers of general
Circulation.

Approved,