1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For the past years, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been 
concentrating mainly on the needs of public schools. Although problems in the 
public educational institution are enormous and deserving of much attention, the 
DepEd should not lose sight of the whole picture. Private Education also has its 
own problems, wants, and areas for improvement which have to be addressed and 
resolved as well. Yet, it cannot be denied that only limited time and efforts are 
given to private schools. 
To illustrate, DepEd assigns only one supervisor in charge of one division 
which houses many private schools. It is noteworthy that despite Metro Manila 
having close to 2,000 private schools, since there are only 16 divisions therein; 
accordingly, there are only 16 supervisors which oversee all these private schools. 
Clearly, there is a shortage of supervisors for private schools; and usually, the 
same supervisors are also tasked to attend to other assignments such as scouting, 
nutrition, teaching, and lastly, the organization and management of the private 
schools. 
Considering the dilemma faced by the private schools, it is about time that 
a bureau is created that will exclusively cater to the needs of private education 
specifically in the private elementary and high school sectors. 
Through the creation of the Bureau of Private Schools, all matters 
concerning private education in private elementary and high schools shall all be 
directed to a centralized department. All concerns, problems, transactions, and 
activities relating to private schools will now be heard and catered to immediately 
by the said Bureau. By doing this, the DepEd's load of work will definitely be 
lessened and unclogged. On the other hand, meeting the concerns of the private 
elementary and high schools will be fast tracked. 
January 23, 2023
2:41 pm
6852


2 
Clearly, the creation of the Bureau of Private Schools promises more 
efficiency and output. Moreover, it also ensures that all problem s — whether 
coming from public or private schools, will be attended to extensively. 
It is for this reason that the approval of this Bill is hereby being sought. 
EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 


3 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BUREAU OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO 
ADMINISTER, SUPERVISE, AND REGULATE PRIVATE SCHOOLS 
OFFERING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE 
COUNTRY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES. 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Bureau of Private 
Schools for Primary and Secondary Education Act of 2023.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The state shall protect, foster, and 
promote the right of all citizens to affordable quality education at all levels and 
shall take appropriate steps to ensure that education shall be accessible to all. The 
State shall likewise ensure and protect academic freedom and shall promote its 
exercise and observance for the continuing intellectual growth, and the 
advancement of learning. 
SECTION 3. Coverage and Limitation. It is understood that the 
provisions of this act shall only cover activities and other concerns or matters 
relating to private colleges or institutions offering primary and/or secondary. The 
Bureau shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of 
Education (DepEd) and in no case shall the former interfere or transgress with the 
powers of the DepEd unless otherwise expressly stated in this Act. 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Bureau. Pursuant to the abovementioned 
policies, the Bureau of Private Schools is hereby created, hereinafter referred to 
as the Bureau. The Bureau shall be responsible for administering, supervising, 
and regulating all private schools offering primary and/or secondary education. 
The Bureau shall be under the direct control of the DepEd but it shall function 
mainly for the purpose of centralizing the administration of all concerns relating 
only to private schools. 
6852


4 
 
 
SECTION 5. Composition of the Bureau. The Bureau shall be composed 
of a Chief Director and four (4) full-time Assistant Directors to assist the Chief 
Director. There shall also be appointed Regional Directors for each region. The 
Chief Director, Assistant Directors and Regional Directors shall be appointed by 
the President and they shall hold office until their successors have been appointed 
and qualified. The Chief Director, Assistant Directors, and Regional Directors 
should at least be a holder of post graduate courses. 
 
SECTION 6. Powers nut functions of the Bureau. With respect to private 
schools, the DepEd shall devolve the following powers and functions to the 
Bureau: 
 
a. Formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, and 
programs for private primary and secondary education; 
 
b. Recommend to the executive and legislative branches, priorities, and 
grants on basic and secondary education; 
 
c. Set minimum standards for programs and institutions of learning 
subject to public hearing, and enforce the same; 
 
d. Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of 
basic learning for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of 
sanctions such as, but not limited to, diminution or withdrawal of 
subsidy, recommendation on the downgrading or withdrawal of 
accreditation, program termination or school closure; 
 
e. Identify, support, and develop potential centers of excellence in 
program areas needed for the development of world-class scholarship, 
nation building and national development; 
 
f. Rationalize programs and institutions of primary and/or secondary 
learning and set standards, policies, and guidelines for the creation of 
new ones, subject to budgetary limitations and the number of 
institutions of private primary and/or secondary learning in the province 
or region where creation, conversion or elevation is sought to be made; 
g. Review the policies, guidelines, and other rules and regulations issued 
by private schools and/or private institutions offering primary and/or 
secondary education; 
 


5 
 
h. Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers 
and functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purpose 
and objectives of this act; and 
 
i. Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective 
operations and for the continued enhancement, growth or development 
of private primary and/or secondary education. 
 
SECTION 7. Guarantee of Academic Freedom. Nothing in this act shall 
be construed as limiting the academic freedom of private schools or institutions. 
In particular, no abridgement of curricular freedom of the individual educational 
institutions by the Bureau shall be made except for: 
 
a. Minimum unit requirements for specific academic programs; 
 
b. General education distribution requirements as may be determined and; 
 
c. Recommendation of tuition ceiling and/or tuition increase rate. 
 
SECTION 8. Accreditation. The Bureau shall provide incentives to 
private institutions of primary and/or secondary education whose programs are 
accredited or whose needs for accreditation purposes. 
  
SECTION 9. Authority. The Bureau shall exercise such authority as may 
be deemed necessary within its premises or areas of operation to effectively carry 
out its powers and functions to attain its objectives. Provided, that the DepEd may 
at any time order the Bureau to desist from exercising certain powers and 
functions that are inconsistent with that of DepEd and other government agencies. 
 
SECTION 10. Budget Appropriation. The funding for the creation Bureau 
of Private Schools shall be sourced from the budget allotted to DepEd and shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Unless otherwise 
provided by this act, the DepEd shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations to carry out the provisions of this act. 
 
Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their publication in three 
(3) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instructions, executive orders, rules and regulations insofar as they are 
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or amended as the case may be. 


6 
 
 
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. In the event that any provision of this 
Act or any portion thereof is declared unconstitutional by a competent court, the 
other provisions shall not be affected thereby and shall remain valid and 
enforceable. 
 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after its 
complete publication in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
APPROVED