Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2609

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE LIANDA B. BOLILIA

AN ACT
GRANTING POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY
AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS IN STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 5 (4) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: “The
State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional development. Non-teaching
academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the State.”
Likewise, Article XIV, Section 5 (5) states that: “The State shall assign the highest
budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its
rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and
other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.”

Despite the constitutional provisions, our public school teachers remain
underpaid and overworked. Itis no wonder that many of our quality teachers are now
teaching or are working as caregivers or domestic helpers abroad.

This bill seeks therefore to improve the quality of education by making sure
that the educators themselves become recipients of quality education. This can only
be achieved through a viable scholarship program for deserving public school
teachers.

By investing in the professional development of our teachers through
continuing education programs, this measure will help improve the country’s global
competitiveness.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment and@pproval of this bill is
earnestly sought.
/j YA

LIAN B. BOLILIA
Representatiy,
4 District, Batangas


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. eee

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE LIANDA B. BOLILIA.

AN ACT
GRANTING POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY
AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS IN STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public School Teachers Scholarship
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall give priority to education to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total human
liberation and development. In line with this, it is hereby declared the policy of the
State to enhance the right of teachers to professional development.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - Public school teachers in elementary and high school levels shall
be eligible to avail of the scholarship grants for master’s degree or a doctorate degree.

SEC. 4. Scope of the Scholarship Grant. - The scholarship grant shall cover the full
cost of tuition fee for postgraduate education.

SEC. 5. Qualifications. — In order to qualify for the scholarship program, the teacher
applicant must have the following qualifications:
a. Public elementary and high school teachers who are in active and
continuous service for at least three (3) years;
b. Must hold a permanent position;
. Must have no pending administrative and/or criminal case;
d. Must have obtained at least a Very Satisfactory performance rating for two
(2) consecutive periods immediately preceding the nomination;
e. Physically and mentally fit;

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f. Must pass the Graduate Mental Ability Test (GMAT) of the State
Universities and Colleges (SUCs) of his/her choice;

g- Must have an average of at least 2.25 or its equivalent in his/her college
Transcript of Records (TOR);

h. Must have good character and demonstrated qualities of leadership and
positive attitudes in keeping with the vision and mission of DepEd;

i. Such other qualifications as the DepEd may determine including, but not
limited to regular qualifying examinations.

SEC. 6. Place of Study. - The scholarship grants shall be applicable in all state
universities and colleges throughout the country.

SEC. 7. Service Obligation. - Immediately upon completion of each graduate and
post-graduate program, a grantee shall serve the DepEd for at least four (4) years. For
this purpose, the grantee shall execute a contract with the DepEd incorporating the
details of the said service. Any grantee who violates the service obligation imposed
under this Act shall be liable to reimburse the government on the fund assistance
received under this Act in full or pro tanto as the case may be.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - 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,