Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 42 87

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers the amazing
advantages of its application in almost all undertakings of our modern society.
Undoubtedly, this technology has significantly proven its use in improving the
quality and efficiency of the education system. It is affecting all subjects,
especially in basic education, not only altering teaching opportunities because of
its new perspectives on communication and dissemination, but also opening up
exciting new resources for learning. Simply put, it allows for the ‘maximization’ of
learning

We say that we have to prepare the Filipino youth to meet the challenges
of this new technology. The youth must be updated on the latest advances of this
technology to fully tap their inner talents, improve learning outcomes and
contribute to national development. But how can this be realized if the providers
of knowledge themselves are not equipped with the advantages of such
technology? The sad fact is that a great number of teachers, especially those in
basic education, are not even acquainted with the basics of ICT. Much more of
the ICT’s useful and relevant application in classroom teaching

This bill is a timely response to the demand of this modern era of teaching.
Its intent holds the promise of providing a new learning experience among our
students, a unique way of arousing in these young people as much interest in
learning as they have playing games on the computer, thereby, improving their
classroom performance

This piece of legislation aims to institute certain policies and mechanisms
that will strengthen training programs for teachers that will provide them teaching
competence and skills on information and communication technology (ICT),
enabling them to apply computer-aided teaching methodologies and digital tools
and techniques in their classroom activities. Intending to make ICT a way of life
among our basic education teachers, this bill provides a framework of actions
that will not entail cost from our government that is already heavily burdened by
the huge finances of providing quality education to its people. In order to realize
its objectives at no cost as much as possible, the provisions of this bill rely on the
capacity of the concerned stakeholders to draw the appropriate policies, to set
the right directions, to recognize the importance of collaboration, and to realize
the meaning of self-sufficiency, towards improving the quality of our teachers.


Under this proposal, the mandates to strengthen ICT training programs for
basic education teachers are lodged in all levels, from the national to local
leadership of the Department of Education, with the Local Government Units
(LGUs) and non-government organizations, as well as business entities, This
correspondingly contribute in good governance of schools.

For the above-mentioned reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

House of Representatives

House Bill No._ 42.67

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

STRENGTHENING THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS
PROVIDING CERTAIN POLICIES AND MECHANISMS FOR ITS
IMPLEMENTATION
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 “Teachers’
Information and Communication Training (ICT) Program Act of 2011”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The Constitution provides that the
State shall give priority to education, science and technology to accelerate social
progress, and promote total human liberation and development. In recognition of
the teachers’ indispensable role in molding the minds of our youth, the
Constitution further provides that the State shall enhance the right of teachers to
professional advancements. In pursuance of these mandates, it is hereby
declared to be the policy of this Act to institute certain policies and mechanisms
that will strengthen training programs for teachers that will provide them
significant knowledge and skills on information and communication technology,
enabling them to apply computer-aided teaching methodologies and digital tools
and techniques in their classroom activities.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Unit in Every School. — The School Heads shall initiate for
the creation of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit in their

respective schools. The office shall be manned by at least one (1) academic or

non-academic personnel, provided, that he/she shall have a specialization in


computer education, computer technology, or in information and communication
technology.

SECTION 4. Regular Computer Education or ICT Seminars/Trainings.
- The Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby mandated to institutionalize a
system of free regular training program on computer education, and information
and communication technology (ICT) for teachers in all elementary and
secondary schools, both public and private.

SECTION 5. Seminars and Trainings Outside the School. — The school
administration shall encourage attendance or participation of its faculty members
in seminars and trainings outside the school related to computer, and information
and communication technology, particularly those concerning its application to
teaching methodologies, organized by private or professional groups. Teachers
who have the specialization in computer education or information technology
shall be prioritized to participate. The cost of seminar-workshop maybe
shouldered by the attending teacher provided that such is manifested in his/her
own free will. Otherwise, upon determination of the necessity and usefulness of
such seminar-workshop, the school administration shall arrange for it to shoulder
the entire cost or subsidize the cost for the attending teacher/s. Provided, further,
that such attending teacher/s must be required to convey or share what
he/she/they learned with his/her/their co-teachers in a comparable echo seminar-
workshop

SECTION 6. ICT Training Collaboration. — The Department of Education
(DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT)

+ shall explore every possible collaboration for free information and communication
(ICT) trainings with prospective private and non-government entities particularly
those in the field of ICT, that will benefit a mass number of basic education
teachers nationwide. The companies and other business entities that extend

such free ICT trainings may claim the cost as tax credit.


SECTION 7. Authority vis-a-vis ICT Training Tie-Up Program
Agreement. - The local offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) —~
Regional Office, Division Office, District Office, schools are hereby authorized to
enter into a Training Tie-UP Program Agreement with any sponsoring company,
agency or entity that will benefit the teachers and other personnel of the schools
under their jurisdiction. Provided, that such agreement shall potentially contribute
to the technology-related reform on teacher preparation and enhancement
programs, and integration and application of information technology to classroom
teaching. Provided, further, that such agreement shall not entail cost on the part
of the government

SECTION 8. Partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs). ~
The Schools Division Superintendents, Schools District Supervisors, or the
School Heads shall arrange a partnership with any of the concerned Local
Government Units (LGUs) that will advance in any form or manner the need of
their respective teachers and school personnel

SECTION 9. Initiatives of the School Heads. — The School Heads of all
elementary and secondary schools, both public and private, are hereby enjoined
to realize the objectives of this Act by exploring all the possible initiatives at their
school levels, and within the resources of the school. The Parents-Teachers
Association (PTA) and/or the School Governing Council (SGC) of the school may
also enjoined to include in its list of priority projects those that will advance or
support the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 10. Knowledge in Computer or ICT: A Requirement for
Hiring of New Teachers. - in hiring or recruiting of new teachers, the applicant's
-knowledge and skills in computer and information technology must be given
appropriate considerations.

SECTION 11. Implementation of the Program. — \mmediately after its
approval, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall formulate the Implementing

Rules and Regulations of this Act, and ensure its effective implementation.


SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision in this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of
the other provisions hereof.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 14, Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national

newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.