Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3 1

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish and institutionalize School Governance Councils (SGCs) in all
public and basic educational institutions to enhance participatory governance in schools and ensure
the efficient and effective delivery of basic education services.

Recognizing the importance of school-based governance, the Department of Education
(DepEd), issued DepEd Order No. 26, s. 2022', providing guidelines for the establishment of SGCs.
These councils play a crucial role in fostering stakeholder participation in school planning, resource
mobilization, and decision-making. They also strengthen the shared responsibility of education
stakeholders in shaping policies that directly impact students’ welfare and development.

Research shows that involving stakeholders in decision-making processes leads to
improved school performance, better learning outcomes, and stronger community involvement? It
also allows schools to address local needs more effectively and builds trust among educational
stakeholders, encouraging a culture of accountability and cooperation as it also serves as a conduit
for transparent communication, strengthening relationships between the school and its community.

Through the collaborative approach of various stakeholders, schools can develop policies
and programs that are responsive to the needs of students and the community. By institutionalizing
SGCs, we take a significant step toward a more inclusive and effective educational system that
prioritizes the welfare and development of our students, ultimately contributing to a more effective
and equitable education system.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIMBR. FRESNEDI
fepresentative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City

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2 Effective Participatory School Administration, Leadership and Management: Ooes it Affect The Trust Levels of Stakeholders?
http fils. ere gov/tuont/E11060G91 pat



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SCHOOL GOVERNANCE COUNCILS IN PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR
FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the "Schoo! Governance Council
Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give
priority to education to foster patriotism, nationalism, and collaboration among key
stakeholders in schools. The State recognizes the vital role of school governance councils in
enhancing transparency, accountability, and shared responsibility in decision-making
processes that affect the management and operation of schools. Towards this end, the State
shall pursue and support mechanisms to ensure synergy among all concerned sectors in the
basic education system in the country.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For the purposes of this Act, the following shall mean:

(a) Ex-officio members refer to the initial members of the council who shall select
representatives of different school internal and external stakeholders who will
complete the school governance council. They may or may not hold positions as
officers of the school governance council unless elected by the council. They are
composed of the designated co-chairperson and representatives from the student
government, PTA, and faculty club or its equivalent. They shall select
representatives of different school internal and external stakeholders who will
complete the school governance council.


(b) Stakeholder is any person, school, recognized Parent-Teacher Association (PTA),
Local Government Unit (LGU), and other organizations that has/have professional
or civic interests or concerns for the interest of the schools and their students."

i. Internal stakeholder is anyone who is directly and immediately involved in
or affected by the daily operations of the school. Internal stakeholders
include the learners and school personnel.

ii, External stakeholder is anyone who is not directly involved in or affected
by the daily educational operations of the schoo! but expresses his/her stakes
in the larger educational system and community dynamics through the
extension of support to school programs, advocacies, and other
undertakings.

External stakeholders may include parents and guardians, community
members, local government units, civil society organizations, other national
government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations,
international organizations, private companies, business enterprises,
corporate foundations, cooperatives, and other concerned private
individuals.?

(c) Learning outcomes refer to the standards that are achieved by maximizing the
competencies of teachers and potential of all types of learners.

(@) Priority Improvement Area (PIA) refers to selected areas in school management,
operations, and service delivery that need to be changed to improve the three (3)
key result areas in basic education: access, quality, and governance.

(e) School-based Management (SBM) refers to the decentralization of decision-making
authority from central, region, and division levels to the individual schools, with
the intent of bringing together school heads, teachers, students, as well as parents,
the local government units, and the community at large to improve learning
outcomes through effective schools.

(f) School Improvement Plan (SIP) refers to a three-year roadmap that lays down the
school’s specific solutions of corresponding identified Priority Improvement Areas,
which focus on the improvement of access, quality, and governance in basic
education.

(@) School Governance Council (SGC) members refer to the representatives of different
school committees/associations/organizations, reputable members of the
‘community, and representatives of community organizations in the SGC that are
established as council members.

(h) Shared governance refers to a principle which recognizes that every unit in the
‘education bureaucracy has a particular role, task and responsibility inherent in the
office and or which it is principally accountable for outcomes.

" Department Order (DO) No. 052, s. 2016, Data Collection of Basic Education Statistics in the Leamer Information System
‘and Enhanced Basic Education Information System for Beginning of School Year 2016-2017
2 Rephrased based on External Partnership Service (EPS) documents


SEC. 4. The School Governance Council. — A Schoo! Governance Council (SGC) shall
be established and maintained in all public and private basic education institutions to foster and
promote a collaborative partnership among all stakeholders and ensure a continuous, efficient
and effective basic education service towards the improvement of leaming and promotion of
the welfare of the learners further strengthening the implementation of SBM. ‘The SGC shall
form part of the school structure as an embodiment of the principle of shared governance,
mandated under Republic Act No. 9155.

For purposes of this section, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall adopt existing
guidelines on the SGC or promulgate such implementing guidelines for its governance.

SEC. 5. Composition of the School Governance Council (SGC). ~ There shall be four
(4) ex-officio members of the SGC. These ex-officio members shall be composed of the
following intemal and external school stakeholders: designated Co-Chairperson and
representatives from the student government, PTA, and faculty club or its equivalent. The
School Head shall designate a school representative, who exhibits the leadership competencies
reflected in Domain 6. Community Linkages and Professional Engagement of the Philippine
Professional Standards for Teachers (DepEd Order 42 s. 2017), to assume the position of Co-
Chairperson. Each of the school organizations / associations / committees shall appoint a
representative, who may not necessarily be the incumbent president or chairperson of their
respective school organization / association / committee, to be the initial council members of
the SGC.

Giving due consideration to geographical location and student demographics, the four
(4) ex-officio members shall determine the total number of SGC members anywhere from
seven (7) to fifteen (15) depending on the school typology. Upon determining the total number
‘of SGC members, the four (4) ex-officio members, through a deliberative and consensus
process, shall then select the council members who will complete the composition of the SGC.
‘Additional members may be allowed should the SGC find it necessary based on the context of
the school. The additional members shall be decided upon by the SGC collectively. These
members shall be composed of heads/presidents/ assigned representatives from other school
committees/associations/organizations, including school-based Alternative Learning System
(ALS) teachers and learners, reputable members of the community, and representatives of
community organizations duly recognized by government authorities, such as but not limited
to the following: Alumni Association, Education Committee of the Barangay, Non-
Government Organizations, Religious Organizations, etc. For schools located in ancestral
domains and/or with learners belonging to Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), a
community representative duly chosen by the ICC's customary governance structure or chosen
through the customary way of determining appropriate cultural representation shall have a slot
as a council member.

Moreover, the prospective council members must be trustworthy, willing, or have a
sincere desire to become members of the SGC, regardless of position, and driven to support
the school and its endeavors toward improving learning outcomes and upholding the rights of
the child and leamer in the basic education context, by working together with other school
internal and external stakeholders.

The School Head shall ensure that all school committees / organizations / associations
and the external stakeholders are represented in the SGC and the selection process of the


council members is gender-responsive, non-discriminatory, and inclusive. Any form of
prejudice and bias in selecting additional SGC members based on race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship,
national and ethnical origin, or any other characteristic protected by law shall not be tolerated.

The School Head shall not be authorized to represent any of the school
committees/associations/organizations in the SGC regardless of the school size. In the case of
small schools, the authority of multiple representations of school committees/
associations/organizations in the SGC shall only be given to the teachers and other council
members.

The SGC is encouraged to expand its membership to strengthen the partnership between
the schools and their respective stakeholders and to value the voice of the latter in the
determination and recommendation of strategies to make their schools more effective.
However, this shall only be considered once the seven (7) to 15 SGC membership is complete.

In the case of expanded membership, the SGC shall have two types of council members:

(a) Voting council members

= The voting council members shall be composed of the seven (7) to fifteen (15),
including the four (4) ex-officio members, selected representatives of the
school's internal and external committees / organizations / associations.

(b) Non-voting council members

- The non-voting council members shall be composed of the:
i. former SGC members who wish to extend their membership and have
active membership status in the committees / organizations /
associations they previously represented in the council, and the

ii, additional council members who are collectively selected by the
incumbent, voting SGC members.

Following the completion of its membership, the SGC shall elect their officers (co-
chairperson and secretary) from its voting council members. In the conduct of the elections,

the Designated Co-Chairperson shall be excluded from the nominations. All voting council
members shall exercise their right to vote.

SEC. 5. Roles and Responsibilities of SGC Officers. -
The Designated Co-Chairperson shall:

(a) co-lead the SGC in developing / identifying programs, projects and activities
that support and/or address schoo! improvement;

(b) prepare agenda of meetings in consultation with the Elected Co- Chairperson
and other council members;


(6) call and preside over meetings of the SGC, in the absence of the Elected Co-
Chairperson;

(d) sign communications, notice of meetings, and other documents of the SGC;
(e) ascertain that in all meetings, a quorum is met;

(f) attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus
decision;

(g) initiate and respond to all communications which are for the attention of the
Council;

(h) make himself/herself available to the wider school community for consultation
and information sharing;

(i) discuss with the School Head the direction of the SGC;

() represent the SGC in his/her official capacity as Designated Co-Chairperson on
occasions, events, and affairs where representation is needed;

(k) exercise general supervision over all activities relative to the functions of the
Council;

(D) delegate other functions when necessary; and
(m) perform other functions and duties relative to the functions of the Council.
The Elected Co-Chairperson shall:

(a) co-lead the SGC in developing / identifying programs, projects and activities
that support and/or address school improvement;

(b) prepare agenda of meetings in consultation with the Designated Co-
Chairperson all other council members;

(©) call and preside over all meetings of the SGC;
(d) sign communications, notice of meetings, and other documents of the SGC;
(©) ascertain that in all meetings, a quorum is met;

(f) attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus
decision;

(g) initiate and respond to all communications which are for the attention of the
Council:

(h) make himself/herself available to the wider school community for consultation
and information sharing;


(i) discuss with the School Head the direction of the SGC;

(i) represent the SGC in his/her official capacity as Elected Co-Chairperson on
occasions, events, and affairs where representation is needed;

(k) exercise general supervision over all activities relative to the functions of the
Council;

(1) delegate other functions when necessarSr; and
(m)perform other functions and duties relative to the functions of the Council.
The Secretary shall:

(a) finalize agenda of meetings as prepared by the Co-Chairpersons;

(b) keep the minutes and all other records of the SGC;

(c) prepare and file all communications and documents of the SGC;

(d) prepare quarterly reports of the activities of t]le SGC to the school stakeholders
and publish them on the school's Transparency Board and SRC which shall also
serve as references to the development of the semi-annual report to be submitted

to the SDO;

(€) lead the preparation of quarterly reports of SGC acti
school's Transparency Board and SRC;

ies for publication in the

(f) issue notice of meetings to all members of the SGC at least a week before the
scheduled time;

(g) attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus
decision;

(h) provide all council members legible copies of the minutes of the meeting within
two weeks after the conduct of meeting;

(i) record the attendance of council members during meetings; and

(i) perform such other functions and duties assigned by the Elected Co-
Chairperson.

SEC. 6. Role of the CEO of the SGC. ~ The school head as Chief Executive Officer
shall:

(a) Implement the SIP which includes delegating responsibilities to other staff and
setting up processes to monitor progress collecting and analyzing data, and
documenting relevant information;


(b) Implement policies developed in partnership with the SGC;

(c) Provide accurate and timely information to include progress reports about the
SIP, government requirements and initiatives, and financial reports on school
expenditure and

(@) Perform such other functions as the SGC may deem necessary.

SEC. 7. Roles and Responsibilities of All SGC Members. —
Voting council members shall:

(a) attend meetings regularly;

(b) participate, promote, and support SGC activities;

(©) raise concems and needs of learners and other stakeholders, including those
outside of the school that have bearing on school services and processes;

(d) represent their committee / association/organization in the Council;
(e) propose meeting agenda for consideration of the Elected Co-Chairperson;

(f) attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus
decision;

(g) facilitate the engagement and linkages of other stakeholders in support of the
school's priority improvement areas;

(h) advocate the SGC activities to school's interna-] and externa-1 stakeholders;
and perform other functions and duties assigned by the Elected Co-
Chairperson.

Non-voting council members shall:

(a) attend meetings regularly;

(b) participate, promote, and support SGC activities;

(c) raise concerns and needs of learners and other stakeholders, including those
outside of the school that have bearing on school services and processes;

(a) propose meeting agenda for consideration of the Elected Co-Chairperson;

(¢) facilitate the engagement and linkages of other stakeholders in support of the
school's priority improvement areas;

(f) advocate the SGC activities to school's internal and external stakeholders; and

(g) perform other functions and duties assigned by the Elected Co- Chairperson.


All council members are expected to use respectful, gender-fair, inclusive, and culture-
sensitive language in providing inputs and views on issues presented during SGC meetings.

SEC. 8. General Purpose of the School Governance Council. ~The SGC shall function
as a structure for shared governance and a feedback mechanism at the school level. However,
the SGC shall not manage the school and shall not have a separate and distinct juridical
personality apart from the school.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the School Governance Council. - To achieve its
mandate, the SGC shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Asa Structure for Shared Governance:

Serve as:

i.

A collective and consultative body for school plans, programs, activities,
and strategic conditions.

The overall coordinating body that will synergize, harmonize, and put
together the work of the difference school committees, including but not
limited to the SPT, School Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM)
Committee, Child Protection Committee (CPC), Supreme Pupil
Government / Supreme Student Government, Faculty Club, Non-teaching
Association, PTA, Alumni Associations, DepEd-recognized teacher
organizations, and national Employees Union at schoo! level, among others;
and

A platform to cultivate the spirit of bayanihan among stakeholders to
support the school and encourage active participation of the stakeholders in
the implementation of DepEd policies and programs, while promoting equal
opportunity for all regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status,
ethnicity, and religious beliefs.

(b) As a Feedback Mechanism:

iii.

Help the school improve and sustain its feedback system by strengthening
practices that promote stakeholders” participation;

Assist the school in ensuring transparency in its operations and
performance, specifically school programs and resources management; and

Recommend ways of improving the quality of basic education services and
school performance to the school management and school planning team,
and its means of respecting, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting children’s
rights in the education context.

(©) Specific Functions of the SGCs:


xi.

xii.

Determine the general principles of the school on student welfare, discipline
and well-being;

Participate in the development of the School Improvement Plan (SIP);
Adopt a Constitution and By-laws to guide its decisions;

Conduct its affairs in keeping with the school’s decision-making processes;
Assist in the planning and setting direction for the school;

Organize committees to support the school head and staff in the
implementation of the SIP;

Regularly conduct consultation as an avenue for multi-level and multi-
stakeholder assessment of the school’s state of education;

Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the SIP, and develop such
monitoring and evaluation tools;

Report the progress of SIP Implementation to the Schools Division
Superintendent and the community;

Generate resources to support the implementation of the SIP;
Manage its resources; and

Such other powers and functions as may be necessary for its effective
performance.

SEC. 10. Name of the School Governance Council. — For identification purposes, the
‘SGC shall carry a name which shall include the name of the school. As the SFC bears the name
of the school and is a school organization in nature, it does not have a separate and distinct
juridical personality apart from the school. Hence, in the event of irregularities or violations
of the guidelines stipulated in this policy, the SGC shall undergo due process before a decision

is made.

SEC. 11. Procedures on SGC Creation. — The schools with existing SGCs shall adopt
the new structure provided herein, in the immediate school year following the implementation
of this Act. The schools without existing SGCs shall establish their own SGCs accordingly.
The following shall be the procedures on the SGC creation:

(@) For Schools with existing SGCs:

i.

The School Head shall orient and discuss the policy to the existing SGC of
‘the school.

The existing SGC shall meet and align with the current policy in preparation
for the implementation in the following school year (SY).


iii, ‘The SGC shall prepare for the implementation of the policy for the next SY.

iv. In case the existing SGC's name does not conform to the naming guidetnes
in this policy, it shall be renamed accordingly for the next SY.

v. The newly-installed SGC may invite former council members to join and
participate in ttre council's activities, conforming with the guidelines for
expanded SGC membership.

(b) For Schools with no existing SGCs:

i. The School Head shall orient the school's internal stakeholders about the
policy.

ii, The School Head shall identify the four ex-officio members who are
representatives from the student government, PTA, and facultSr club or its
equivalent.

iii, The four (4) ex-officio members, through a deliberate and consensus
process, shall select the council members who wiil complete the
composition of the SGC.

iv. The SGC shall prepare for the election of officers (Co-Chairperson and
Secretary).

v. The SGC shall elect their officers from its council members. In the conduct
of the elections, the Designated Co-Chairperson shall be excluded from the
nominations. All council members shall exercise their right to vote.

vi. After the election and completion of the membership of the council, the
school may now formally induct the SGC.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of the Interior and
Local Government and the Department of Education shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement this Act not later than ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — Should any provision or part of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, ordinances, administrative order, rules
and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are repealed ot
amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act shall take
effect fifteen (15) days afier its publication in the Official Gazette and at least two (2)
newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,