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Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Recent surveys show that there is a 
decline in the academic 
performance of Filipino schoolchildren particularly 
in 
science and 
mathematics. The relevant reasons identified are: the teachers in the 
elementary levels are generalists and in high school, the trend is that 
more of the teachers who teach Physics, Chemistry, Biology and General 
Science are not qualified to teach the subject. Thus, teachers, the key to 
students' learning, lack the content knowledge needed to teach these 
subjects effectively. 
Statistics show that 90% of physics teachers are not physics majors 
and 80% of chemistry teachers are not chemistry majors. Only 1.5% are 
mathematics and science majors among the prospective teachers enrolled 
in Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE). All these have resulted to 
the 
dismal performance of Filipino students against their international 
counterparts. 
Efforts to solve the problem were exerted by concerned agencies. 
Administrative Order No. 378 issued by President Fidel Ramos in 1998 
implemented 
Project RISE or Rescue Initiative -in Science Education, a 
5-year strategy program of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST) covering 180 hours of training for science and mathematics 
teachers 
at the 
public 
and private 
elementary, secondary and 
technical/vocational schools nationwide. 
The free formal training 
provided 
teachers with content knowledge 
and updated teaching 
strategies which they did not have as pre-service education students. 
However, due to budgetary and time constraints, the program failed to 
improve science and mathematics education considering the recent 
performance evaluation. 
In line with the constitutional provision of providing quality 
education 
and realizing the importance of science and mathematics 
in attaining industrialization and economic development, this proposed 
measure seeks to implement Program Rescue Initiative in Science and 
Mathematics Education Tor Teachers or RISMETs. This bill in effect, will 
revive project RISE. 
Under the proposed program, all teachers of science 
and mathematics are required to attend the comprehensive training. To 
ensure effective 
implementation of the Program, a National Steering 
Committee, a policy making body, shall be created. Program RISMETs will 
likewise serve as a career advancement for the concerned teachers. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of t 
ed measure is 
earnestly requested. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
8 
RUG -4 ps :I i 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
I 
Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
TO 
IMPROVE 
SCIENCE 
AND 
MATHEMATICS 
EDUCATION 
BY 
INSTITUTIONALIZING 
RESCUE 
INITIATIVES 
IN 
SCIENCE 
AND 
MATHEMATICS 
EDUCATION 
FOR TEACHERS (RISMETs) PROGRAM, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 “Rescue 
Initiatives in Science and Mathematics Education for Teachers (RISMETs) 
Program Act of 2008.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - I t  is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to 
prioritize science and mathematics education and training, 
and 
promote quality education at all levels in the country. Towards this end, an 
enhanced 
training program 
in 
science and mathematics among our 
elementary, secondary, and post secondary technical/vocational teachers 
through the Rescue Initiatives in Science and Mathematics Education for 
Teachers (RISMETs) program is hereby institutionalized to help the country 
attain globalization and economic development. 
SEC. 3. 
The Program: Rescue Initiatives for Science and 
Mathematics Education for Teachers or RISMETs. - The program “Rescue 
Initiatives for Science and Mathematics Education for Teachers” (RISMETs) in 
public 
and 
private 
elementary, 
secondary 
and 
post 
secondary 
technical/vocational schools nationwide is hereby institutionalized. It shall 
provide teachers, either majors or non-majors of science and mathematics who 
are already in the mainstream of the public and private school system with the 
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content knowledge 
needed 
to become effective mathematics and science 
teachers. 
SEC. 4 . Eligibility to the Program. - The following teachers shall be 
eligible to the RISMETs: 
(a) Teachers of science and mathematics; and 
(b) Teachers who major in science and mathematics although assigned 
to teach other subjects. 
SEC; 5. 
Regional Training Centers. - Training centers for RISMETs 
shall be established within every region to ensure the effective implementation 
of the program. 
SEC. 6. Mobile Information Technology Classrooms. - In order to 
revolutionize the strategies and methods of teaching science and mathematics 
through state-of-the-art technology, mobile information technology classrooms 
shall be brought to selected remote areas in the country. The classrooms shall 
provide interactive and user friendly courseware using vehicles equipped with 
computers and audiovisual facilities with trained facilitators. 
SEC. 7. Scholarship Grants for Master of Science or Mathematics,- 
Scholarship grants for master of science or mathematics shall be provided to 
qualified teachers. The Committee established under Section 7 shall formulate 
the guidelines for availing the grant. Provided, that, after availing the 
scholarship grant, the teacher shall serve as a trainor or facilitator under this 
Act. 
SEC. 8. National Steering Committee. - There is hereby created the 
National Steering Committee for an Enhanced Science and Mathematics 
Education Teachers Training Program, hereinafter 
referred to as 
the 
Committee, which shall act as the policy making body for the effective and 
continuing implementation of 
RISMETs. 
n 


SEC. 9. Composition. 
- The Committee shall be composed of the 
Secretary of Science and Technology (DOST), as Chairman and Secretary of 
Education, (DepEd) as Co- Chairman, and the following, as members: 
Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
a. 
b. 
Director General, Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA); 
Representative, Presidential Management Staff )PMS); 
Director, Science Education Institute (SEI); and 
Representative, Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 
c. 
d. 
e. 
SEC. 10. Functions of the Committee. - The Committee shall have 
the following functions: 
1. 
Formulate guidelines for the training program for science and 
mathematics teachers at the elementary, secondary and post- 
secondary, technical/vocational of public and private schools 
nationwide; 
2. 
Oversee the effective and synchronized implementation of the 
program by concerned agencies; 
3. 
Formulate strategies for strengthening capabilities of training 
institutions such as but not limited to Regional Science Training 
Centers (RSTC) of DOST, Centers of 
Excellence(COE), and 
Centers of Development (COD) of CHED for the conduct of training 
programs; 
4. 
Devise and implement resource development scheme to ensure 
continued allocation of program funds; 
Assess overall progress of the teacher training program and review 
monitoring and evaluation results; 
5. 
6. 
Create sub-committees at the national and regional levels and 
appoint their respective chairpersons and members; 
Submit annual report to Congress; and 
7. 


8. 
Perform such other tasks for the effective implementation of this 
Act. 
SEC. 11. Staff Support. - The Science Education Institute (SEI) shall 
provide the technical, secretariat and administrative support to the Committee. 
SEC. 12. Funding. - For the initial implementation of this Act, there is 
hereby authorized to be created a Fund to be derived from the budget of the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Education 
(DepED), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) not otherwise appropriated. 
Thereafter, said funds shall be included in the annual budget of the 
aforementioned agencies. 
SEC. 13. Hiring of Experts/Specialists. - The Committee is hereby 
authorized to set aside a portion of its fund 
for the hiring of qualified 
consultants, experts and resource persons in the field of science and 
mathematics 
to effectively implement the program. 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
- The 
DOST in 
coordination with the DepEd, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate the rules 
and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act, or any part 
thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 
16. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, 
proclamations. Executive orders, 
rules and regulations 
or parts thereof, 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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