Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 976

Introduced by
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RENEE LOUISE M. CO

AN ACT
ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE OF PRINCIPALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND
FOR THIS PURPOSE MANDATING A “ONE SCHOOL, ONE PRINCIPAL”
POLICY, PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution of the Philippines, under Article XIV, Section 1, mandates 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.
Furthermore, Section 5(5) of the same article emphasizes the State’s duty to assign the
highest budgetary priority to education to ensure that the right to education is fully
realized. These constitutional provisions underscore the necessity of addressing systemic
issues in the education sector, including the lack of qualified school principals, to uphold
the right to quality education for all Filipino learners.

The Year Two report of the EDCOM 2 reveals a critical gap in the Philippine
education system: out of 45,199 schools, 24,916 lack a principal. Among these, 13,332
schools are managed by Head Teachers, 8,916 by “teachers-in-charge,” and 2,337 by
“office-in-charge.” The remaining cases are marked as “undefined.” This alarming
situation forces these teachers to assume the responsibilities of principals without

pate 30 JUN 205 5



adequate training, resources, or compensation. This systemic neglect not only
undermines the quality of education but also exacerbates the already heavy burden on
educators, who are already grappling with low salaries, excessive workloads, and
insufficient support from the government.

The lack of principals can be attributed to the government’s policies on filling the
principal plantilla items. According to the EDCOM report, the National Qualifying
Examination for School Heads (NQESH) have low passing rates and “inconsistent
delivery.” The report also shows that there is no “formalized succession plan for school
leadership,” or a system that will prepare, train, and support potential principals.

Another reason for the principal shortage is the policy and practice of “clustering”
of DepEd, which essentially says that if the school is small. it does not need a dedicated
principal. This clustering policy is an austerity measure, which prioritizes cost-cutting
over the welfare of educators and the quality of education. The insufficient salary, lack
of training, and overwhelming responsibilities deter qualified individuals from pursuing
leadership roles in schools. This systemic failure reflects the broader crisis in the
education sector, where the government’s neglect and underfunding have led to
deteriorating conditions for both educators and learners.

The implications of the shortage on school principals are serious. Without proper
leadership in schools, who will be the partners of our teachers in their teaching? Who
will ensure the proper management of resources in our schools? Who will maintain
academic standards and oversee the development of students? Who will liaise with local
communities and stakeholders?

The “One School, One Principal” policy seeks to address this critical issue by
mandating the appointment of a qualified principal for every school in the country. The
bill aims to reform the standards for principal qualifications, ensuring that principal
plantilla items are filled and school leaders are adequately trained and equipped to
manage their institutions effectively. By providing sufficient school heads, the bill seeks
to improve the quality of education and create a more conducive learning environment
for students.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought to address the
systemic issues in the education sector, uphold the right to quality education, and ensure
the welfare of educators and learners alike.

/

- Ay
C__ Be ANTONIO L. TINIO Rep. vine QUISE M. CO
KABAI

ACT Teachers Party-List LN Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 576

Introduced by
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RENEE LOUISE M. CO

AN ACT
ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE OF PRINCIPALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND
FOR THIS PURPOSE MANDATING A “ONE SCHOOL, ONE PRINCIPAL”
POLICY, PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “One School, One Principal
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to ensure quality education
by providing adequate and competent leadership in all public schools. The State
recognizes the critical role of school principals in achieving effective school
management, improving learning outcomes, and fostering a conducive environment for
both teachers and learners.

To this end, the State shall ensure that every public school is led by a qualified
principal, supported by sufficient resources and professional development opportunities,

to guarantee the delivery of quality education to all Filipino learners.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act:


(a) “Public schoo!” refers to an educational institution established and funded by
the government, offering basic education programs under the supervision of the
Department of Education (DepEd).

(b) “Principal” refers to an individual responsible for the overall management,
supervision, and leadership of a public school under the DepEd: Provided, That, for
purposes of this Act, this term shall include those occupying a plantilla position School
Principal (I-IV), Assistant School Principal (I-III), and Special Schools Principal

(c) “Clustering” refers to the current practice of assigning one principal to oversee
multiple schools, either temporarily or permanently.

(d) “National Educators Academy of the Philippines” (NEAP) refers to the agency
under DepEd mandated to provide professional development programs for teachers and
school leaders.

SEC. 4. One School, One Principal Policy. — Every public school shall have one (1)
principal assigned exclusively to manage and lead the school. Clustering and similar
policies and practices by which one principal is assigned to multiple schools are hereby
prohibited.

SEC. 5. Filling Up of Principal Positions. — The Department of Education (DepEd) shall
ensure that all existing principal positions in public schools are filled within one (1) year
from the effectivity of this Act. The DepEd shall prioritize the hiring and deployment of
qualified principals to schools currently without a designated principal.

To this end, the DepEd shall also take the necessary steps, also within one (1) year
from the effectivity of this Act, to ensure that all persons it has designated as “school
head,” “teacher-in-charge,” “officer-in-charge,” or any other designation to fulfill the
responsibilities of a principal are promoted to the appropriate schoo! principal plantilla
yn. In no case shall any diminution of salaries and benefits occur.

pos’

SEC. 6. Creation of Principal Items. ~ The Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) shall create and allocate a sufficient number of principal items to meet the
requirements of the “One School, One Principal” policy. The DBM shall ensure that the
necessary funds are included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 7. Professional Development Support. ~ The DepEd, in coordination with the
National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), shall provide continuous
professional development programs for principals. These programs shall include
capacity-building, leadership training, and other forms of support to enhance their skills
and competencies in school management and instructional leadership.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DepEd and DBM. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd, in coordination with the
DBM, NEAP, and the CSC, and in consultation with the Philippine Elementary School
Principals Association (PESPA), the National Association of Public Secondary School
Heads, Inc. (NAPSSHI), the National Association of Public Secondary Schools of the
Philippines (NAPSSPHIL), and other organizations of principals, shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90)
days from its effectivity.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules, and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby

repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,