reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 9 - Textbooks (§§ 151 — 160) › § 159 - Regular Assembly; requirements and conditions

In a duly constituted Regular Assembly held by the Parent-Teacher Association or Council or by a parent assembly not later than May 1st of each school year, the private school shall recommend to the Parent-Teacher Association or Council or to the parent assembly the maximum budget applicable to each grade for the purchase of the textbooks required in each school year.
The private school shall illustrate [sic] the Parent-Teacher Association or Council on the benefits of the recommended budget and said association shall approve the same jointly with the school.
History —May 18, 2004, No. 116, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 9 - Textbooks (§§ 151 — 160) › § 160 - Compulsory nature of the approved budget

The maximum approved budget applicable to each grade for the purchase of textbooks required for each school year shall be compulsory for each private school. Notwithstanding the provisions of preceding sections, in the case of schools that impart religious doctrines, none of the provisions of §§ 157—160 of this title authorizes the parent association, council or assembly to limit or interfere in any way as to the books or texts of religious content assigned.
History —May 18, 2004, No. 116, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 11 - School Lunchrooms (§§ 181 — 185) › § 181 - School Lunchroom Division—Creation

The administration of school lunchrooms in Puerto Rico is hereby organized and a School Lunchroom Division is hereby created which shall be under the direction of the Secretary of Education.
History —Apr. 15, 1946, No. 328, p. 882, § 1, eff. July 1, 1946.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 11 - School Lunchrooms (§§ 181 — 185) › § 182 - School Lunchroom Division—Duties

The School Lunchroom Division shall have the following duties:
(1) To administer and keep an accounting record, in accordance with the laws in force, of all the sums appropriated for school lunchrooms by the Commonwealth Government, and such funds as may be placed at its disposal by the federal government, and by associations, societies or individuals.
(2) To purchase, store and distribute all the foodstuffs, equipment and materials obtained for the use thereof.
(3) To select and appoint all the personnel for the lunchrooms.
(4) To accept donations of property, funds, foodstuffs, equipment or materials.
(5) To prescribe rules and regulations for the administration and direction of school lunchrooms.
(6) To organize training programs for the personnel.
(7) To prepare statistics and any other data and reports necessary.
(8) To carry out any other tasks in connection with school lunchrooms that may be assigned to it by the Secretary of Education.
(9) To credit to the appropriation for the operation of school lunchrooms all moneys derived from collections for meals served to employees, students and teachers; from the sale of property belonging to the School Lunchroom Division, and from any other source in connection with the activities of said Division.
History —Apr. 15, 1946, No. 328, p. 882, § 2; May 8, 1948, No. 138, p. 322, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 11 - School Lunchrooms (§§ 181 — 185) › § 183 - School Lunchroom Division—Powers of the Secretary

In order that the Secretary of Education may comply with all the provisions of §§ 181—184 of this title, he is hereby empowered:
(1) To organize the School Lunchroom Division in his Department so as to comply with the duties hereby entrusted to said Division, appointing the necessary administrative and technical personnel; Provided, That the employees now holding positions in the institution known as the “Commodities Distribution Project” shall continue in the School Lunchroom Division in similar capacities.
(2) To establish an easy, simple and efficient procurement and payment system, as well as a section for the storage and distribution of foodstuffs; Provided, That for the purposes of school lunchrooms purchases the provisions of Act No. 150, approved May 9, 1945, shall not be applicable.
(3) The employees appointed to serve in the school lunchrooms may voluntarily, by filing an official application therefor, avail themselves of the provisions of Act No. 23, approved July 16, 1935, and of Act No. 150, approved May 15, 1937.
(4) To accept, in the name of the Government of Puerto Rico, donations of real and personal property, funds, foodstuffs, equipment or materials by or without a contract; Provided, That in cases in which said contracts are necessary, the same shall be accepted after it has been ascertained that they do not in any sense violate the laws in force or that may be in force nor further bind the Commonwealth than within the attributes granted to said Secretary of Education by the Government of Puerto Rico.
(5) To prescribe the rules and regulations necessary to insure a successful operation of the school lunchrooms.
(6) To organize training courses for all the personnel of school lunchrooms so as to attain greater efficiency and economy in the operation thereof.
(7) To prepare all statistical and other data necessary in connection with the operation of the School Lunchroom Program.
(8) To take any other necessary steps for the improvement and efficient operation of the School Lunchroom Program.
History —Apr. 15, 1946, No. 328, p. 882, § 3; Apr. 26, 1950, No. 116, p. 296, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 11 - School Lunchrooms (§§ 181 — 185) › § 184 - School lunchroom divison—Rules and regulations

All the rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Education under subsection (5) of § 182 of this title shall have the force of law.
History —Apr. 15, 1946, No. 328, p. 882, § 4, eff. July 1, 1946.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 11 - School Lunchrooms (§§ 181 — 185) › § 185 - School lunchroom division—Working year of employees

(a) From July 1, 1964, the workers of the School Lunchroom Division in the categories of Cook (I and II) and Food Service Worker I and II, shall receive appointment and salary for twelve (12) working months; ten (10) months shall be devoted to the regular school course, one month shall be devoted to educational activities intended to facilitate the academic and occupational improvement of said personnel, or to other activities proper to their office that to such effect the Secretary of Education shall organize and regulate, and the remaining month they may enjoy as vacation leave with pay; Provided, That when a worker of the categories already mentioned is interested in devoting the school vacations to pursue academic studies in an accepted school, college or university, the Secretary may excuse said person from participating in the activity month and shall extend to him all the benefits that in a like situation are extended to public school teachers of Puerto Rico.
(b) School lunchroom workers in the category herein mentioned who in a given year may not wish to, or for some reason cannot participate in the educational activities program to be prepared by the Secretary for one of the months of the school vacation season shall so notify the Secretary of Education, who may relieve them of that obligation; Provided, That in such case said workers shall not be entitled to receive the compensation assigned for that month, unless the rules for sick or pregnancy leave grant them the right to absence without pay during all or part of that period.
History —June 24, 1964, No. 76, p. 233, §§ 1, 2, eff. July 1, 1964.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 191 - Establishment of program

A school band program is hereby established under the direction and supervision of the Secretary of Education, in order to organize and operate at least one band in each school district of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 192 - Funds

The Department of Education shall defray, with funds from its operating budget, the expenditures for the organization and operation of the school bands and, for such purposes, it shall include annually an appropriation in its operating budget.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 193 - Acceptance of donations

In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the Secretary of Education is hereby authorized to receive and accept contributions of funds and personal or real property from municipal governments, the United States Government, philanthropic foundations or from any other public or private entity interested in musical education.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 194 - Regulations

The Secretary of Education shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the organization and operation of school bands.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 195 - Directors, qualifications and salary

The Secretary of Education shall determine the qualifications and salaries of the music teachers who may work as school band directors and of their assistants. The salary shall not be in any case higher than that paid for the same work to the teachers from the Free Schools of Music.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 12 - School Bands (§§ 191 — 196) › § 196 - Reports to Legislature

The Secretary of Education shall render a comprehensive and detailed report giving the Legislature a clear picture of the operation and progress of this program.
History —May 25, 1973, No. 37, p. 104, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 214 - Permanent teachers—Qualifications

Every public school teacher in active service through an appointment made in accordance with the school law, the regulations of the Department of Education and the regulations of the Commonwealth Board for Advanced Skills, Vocational and Technical Education, who shall have practiced as such in a school of any category during the probation period hereinafter specified, shall be entitled to be contracted as a permanent teacher in the category in which he may be practicing his profession at the expiration of the said probation period, without any further proof of classification or professional ability than the holding of a regular license of the same category of the position held by the teacher and to have, in the opinion of the Department, performed satisfactory work. For the purposes of §§ 214—218 of this title, no consideration shall be given to the time such teachers may have been practicing as temporary teachers. Such teachers shall be entitled to be contracted as permanent teachers in the municipality where they may be teaching at the expiration of the probation period. The time worked by teachers with regular certificates as substitutes and who have performed satisfactory work in positions of the same category shall be confirmed as probationary period. The equivalence of the two (2) years of probationary period shall comprise the work performed with a substitute or probationary contract during two (2) consecutive years. Such teachers shall be entitled to be contracted as probationary or permanent teachers in the municipality where they may be teaching when entitled to a regular position.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 312, p. 553, § 1; May 12, 1944, No. 96, p. 212, § 1; May 30, 1970, No. 77, p. 193; Mar. 19, 1971, No. 7, p. 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 215 - Permanent teachers—Appointments and licenses

The appointment of the teachers included in the probation period shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 212 and 213 of this title; Provided, That licenses for probation teachers shall be issued for one year only.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 312, p. 553, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 15, 1938.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 216 - Permanent teachers—Resignations, leaves, transfers, and promotions

Resignations, leaves without pay, transfers and promotions of permanent teachers shall be governed by the regulations promulgated for the purpose by the Secretary of Education.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 312, p. 553, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 15, 1938.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 218 - Probation teachers; continuance of status

Teachers of all categories, except special teachers, shall be classified by the Department of Education as probation teachers during the first two (2) years of continuous practice. Those teachers who on July 1, 1938, shall have completed two (2) or more years of continuous practice shall be considered as having completed their probation period. Any practicing public school teacher, except special teachers, shall be entitled to be contracted as a permanent teacher after said date if, in the opinion of the Department of Education, it is evident that said teacher has satisfactorily completed his probation period; Provided, That in case of those positions of teachers contracted by the Commonwealth Board for Advanced Skills, Vocational and Technical Education subject to requirements of demand, matriculation, and other requirements specified in the Commonwealth Plan for Vocational Education, they may be eliminated when they do not fill said requirements of demand, matriculation, etc., in which case the teachers who occupy them may remain without a contract but said teachers shall have a preferential right over all other candidates to fill vacancies or new positions in the same specialty or in others for which they are duly prepared, within the three (3) years following the date of the elimination of said positions; Provided, further, That when a teacher contracted to practice as a probation elementary teacher or a probation or permanent elementary teacher, comes to hold a position as high school teacher assigned to a junior high school, said teacher shall keep in the new position the status of probation or permanent teacher, as the case may be; and Provided, That when a teacher of a junior high school, either probationary or permanent, passes to an elementary school, he shall likewise keep in his elementary position the status of probationary or permanent.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 312, p. 553, § 2; May 12, 1944, No. 96, p. 212, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 218a - Rest for pregnant teachers

(a) Pregnant teachers shall be entitled to a rest period which shall include four (4) weeks before child birth and four (4) weeks following delivery. The teacher may choose to take only one (1) week of prenatal rest and extend the postnatal rest period up to seven (7) weeks to which she is entitled, provided she presents a doctor’s certificate stating that she is able to work up to the moment that the teacher decides to begin her maternity leave. She may also return to work whenever she wishes to after the first two (2) weeks of postnatal rest, through a doctor’s certificate to such effect. If she returns before the leave ends, the teacher waives the right to avail herself of the remainder of the eight-(8) week period to which she is entitled. Provided, That the teacher who adopts a child of preschool age, be it understood, a child five (5) years of age of less, who is not enrolled in an educational institution, pursuant to the laws and legal procedures in effect in Puerto Rico, shall be entitled to the same maternity leave benefits [as] a teacher who has a normal birth. In such cases, the leave shall start on the date the teacher receives the minor into her family unit. When claiming this right, the teacher shall submit to the Department of Education supporting evidence of the adoption proceedings duly issued by the competent body. In addition, the teacher must notify the director of the school she serves thirty (30) days in advance of her plans to enjoy her maternity leave as well as her plans to return to work. The adopting teacher may request to return to work at any moment after starting to enjoy her maternity leave. Provided, That in such case, its shall be deemed that the adopting teacher has waived her right to the remaining weeks of the maternity leave pursuant to this section.
(b) The term “teacher” as used in this section shall comprise all teaching personnel with a probation[ary], permanent, substitute or provisional status, including both the teachers in charge of teaching, and special services directly related with teaching, and officers or employees engaged in technical work or in school supervision and administration; all teaching personnel with a probation[ary], permanent, substitute or provisional status [contracted by the Vocational Technical and Advanced Skills Education Board and those teachers] contracted as such by other departments or agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It shall be understood by “provisional teacher” those teachers appointed during the first semester of the school year for the rest of the year.
(c) The Secretary of Education shall promulgate the needed rules for the compliance of this section.
(d) The employee shall receive full pay during her maternity leave period.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 117, p. 329, §§ 1—5; June 26, 1974, No. 99, Part 1, p. 333; Apr. 2, 1979, No. 33, p. 83; May 23, 1980, No. 48, p. 132, § 1; July 19, 2000, No. 120, §§ 1—4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 253 - Exchange of teachers between Puerto Rico and democratic countries

The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized to carry out negotiations for the exchange of Puerto Rican teachers and teachers from the United States and from foreign countries ruled by democratic governments.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 127, p. 269, § 1; June 3, 1960, No. 22, p. 44, §§ 1, 2, eff. July 1, 1960.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 254 - Exchange of teachers between Puerto Rico and democratic countries—Assignment by Secretary

The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized to assign teachers contracted by the Department of Education and paid by the Government of Puerto Rico to teach in the United States or in foreign countries ruled by democratic governments, in exchange for teachers from the United States or from said other countries coming to teach in Puerto Rico under contract with, and paid by, the corresponding educational authorities.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 127, p. 269, § 2; June 3, 1960, No. 22, p. 44, § 3, eff. July 1, 1960.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 254a - Teacher exchanges carried out by Department of State

All exchanges of Puerto Rican teachers and teachers from countries ruled by democratic governments shall be carried out through the Department of State of Puerto Rico.
History —June 3, 1960, No. 22, p. 44, § 4, eff. July 1, 1960.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 255 - Exchange of teachers with United States—Negotiations; contracts

The Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized to carry out negotiations for mutual exchange in which Puerto Rican teachers interchange with United States teachers, and to execute the necessary contracts or agreements for the purpose with the teachers and the competent authorities.
History —May 16, 1955, No. 37, p. 126, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 256 - Exchange of teachers with United States—Assignment of teachers

The Secretary of Education is further empowered to assign teachers contracted by the Department of Education and paid by the Government of Puerto Rico to service in the United States in exchange for teachers coming from there for service in Puerto Rico under contract with and paid by the educational authorities of the states, cities, counties or districts of the United States where they are teaching at the time the exchange is effected.
History —May 16, 1955, No. 37, p. 126, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 257 - Exchange of teachers with United States—Additional compensation; transportation expenses

In each case of exchange under the provisions of §§ 255—259 of this title, in which the United States teacher receives, within the school system he hails from, a salary greater than that of the respective Puerto Rican teacher, the latter, in addition to his salary at the prevailing rate in Puerto Rico, shall be paid in accordance with the contracts executed a sum equal to the difference between the two (2) salaries. Such differential sum shall be fixed by the Secretary of Education on the basis of official information on the compensation schedules prevailing in the various school systems of the United States. The said Puerto Rican teachers and those of the United States shall also be paid their transportation expenses from Puerto Rico or from the United States, as the case may be, to the place in which they are to teach in the United States or in Puerto Rico, and the transportation expenses for their return to the Commonwealth or to the continent at the expiration of their contracts. Both payments, that for additional compensation and that for transportation, shall be made chargeable to the regular appropriations carried in the annual budget of the Department of Education for teachers’ salaries and travel expenses, or chargeable to any special appropriation that may be made with relation to the purposes of §§ 255—259 of this title.
History —May 16, 1955, No. 37, p. 126, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 258 - Exchange of teachers with United States—States with racial segregation

This teacher exchange program shall not be carried out with states having a racial segregation system in their schools.
History —May 16, 1955, No. 37, p. 126, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 259 - Exchange of teachers with United States—Regulations

The Secretary of Education shall promulgate such rules and regulations, not in conflict herewith, as may be necessary, for the enforcement of the provisions of §§ 255—259 of this title.
History —May 16, 1955, No. 37, p. 126, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 260 - Certification of teachers—Definitions

(1) Teacher’s certificate. — A document issued by the Secretary of Education entitling the holder thereof to engage in the teaching or technical work specified therein.
(2) Provisional teacher’s certificate. — A document provisionally and temporarily authorizing the holder thereof to engage in teaching, when such holder does not meet the qualifications of academic training and experience, or either of them, as required by law and the regulations in force for the granting of a teacher’s certificate.
(3) Accredited. — Refers to normal schools, teaching colleges, liberal arts colleges, science colleges, faculties of social sciences, faculties of humanities, or faculties of natural sciences, and universities, accredited by the Council on Higher Education or by the regional or professional associations of the United States of North America, organized for the official accreditation of university studies.
(4) Teacher. — For the purposes of §§ 260 et seq. of this title, applies to any supervisory, technical and teaching personnel of the school system, excluding office personnel.
(5) Elementary school. — Includes kindergarten to the sixth grade. The teachers to be certified in the kindergarten category must have special training in that area.
(6) Secondary school. — Includes the intermediate school, composed by the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, and the high school, composed of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades.
(7) Accredited private school. — Is an elementary, intermediate or high school whose courses are given academic credits equivalent to those granted in public schools or other accredited private schools.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 1; May 11, 1989, No. 8, p. 39.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 261 - Certification of teachers—Regulations as to qualifications of candidates

The Secretary of Education is hereby empowered to adopt regulations, subject to approval by the Governor, prescribing the academic, vocational and technical qualifications and the requirements of professional experience and of majors related to their profession which shall be met by candidates for certificates to work in the divers categories of teachers within the public education system of Puerto Rico and private schools duly accredited by the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, as well as the requirements for obtaining renewal of such certificates. Said regulations shall be promulgated by the Secretary of Education and shall have the force of law immediately after approved by the Governor; Provided, That the said regulations shall be published twice in one or more dailies of general circulation in the Commonwealth one month prior to their submission to the Governor. Copy of the said regulations shall be transmitted to the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 262 - Certification of teachers—Existing certificates

The certificates to teach in the public schools and in duly accredited private schools that may be in force at the time this act is approved, shall continue to have the same force and effect that they had on said date.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 263 - Certification of teachers—Contents of certificates

Teacher’s certificates issued by the Secretary of Education shall specify the type of service authorized thereby, the school level, date of issuance and date of expiration.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 265 - Certification of teachers—Additional standards of academic and professional training

The Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico is hereby empowered to establish by said regulations standards of academic and professional training in addition to those prescribed herein for the issuance of certificates authorizing candidates to hold positions requiring academic and professional training in addition to the bachelor’s degree.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 266 - Certification of teachers—Appointment without certificate prohibited

The Secretary of Education shall not issue or approve any appointment as teacher to work in public schools and accredited private schools in Puerto Rico to any person who does not hold a teacher’s certificate in force of the grade appertaining to the position covered by such appointment.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 267 - Certification of teachers—Issuance of certificates

The Secretary of Education shall issue the proper certificate to a candidate who meets the qualifications prescribed in §§ 260 et seq. of this title and in the regulations, which certificate shall be valid for the purpose and during the period for which it is issued. A certificate shall be originally issued for a period of six (6) years, upon expiration of which it may be renewed for one or more periods of six (6) years to candidates meeting the requirements fixed by law and by the regulations.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 8; May 26, 1967, No. 66, p. 259.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 268 - Certification of teachers—Teachers’ life certificates

The Secretary of Education shall issue life certificates of the several categories to teachers who have satisfactorily worked in the public schools or in duly accredited private schools in Puerto Rico for a period of not less than fifty (50) months, of which at least thirty (30) months must have been worked by them as teachers in a position of the same category as that of the certificate sought to be issued. The experience acquired by a teacher working under a provisional teacher’s certificate shall not be computed as valid experience for the issuance of the life certificate.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 269 - Certification of teachers—Duplicates prohibited; official certifications

No duplicates of teacher’s certificates shall be issued. However, official certifications may be issued to accredit the holding of a certificate.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 270 - Certification of teachers—Provisional teacher’s certificate

The Secretary of Education shall issue provisional teacher’s certificates for a period not exceeding three (3) years for any of the categories set by the regulations, to such persons who do not meet the qualifications as to experience or academic or professional training, prescribed in § 260 of this title and in the regulations, whenever persons holding teacher’s certificates are not available to fill vacancies occurring in the public education system or in accredited private schools, pursuant to the regulations promulgated to such effects and while the applicant demonstrates continued academic progress towards the achievement of qualifications.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 11; Dec. 28, 2003, No. 320, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 273 - Certification of teachers—Issuance of certificates on the basis of certificates issued in the United States; reciprocity agreements

(a) The Secretary of Education may acknowledge as valid the certificates issued by any state or territory of the United States of North America for the purpose of issuing a similar certificate to work in public schools and accredited private schools in Puerto Rico, provided such certificates represent, in his judgment, the minimum academic training and other general requirements prescribed by §§ 260 et seq. of this title and by the regulations for the issuance of certificates of the same category in Puerto Rico, and provided that in the school laws and regulations of said state or territory provision is made for reciprocity with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(b) The Secretary of Education is further authorized to carry out reciprocity agreements on certification of teachers, with one or more states and/or territories of the United States of North America, provided the training, experience and other requisites required by these states or territories be comparable with the requirements of §§ 260 et seq. of this title and with the applicable regulations in effect at the time of the signing of the agreement.
History —June 21, 1955, No. 94, p. 488, § 14; May 16, 1972, No. 31, p. 58.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274 - Procedure for cancellation of certificates—Causes

The Secretary of Education may permanently cancel the certificate of any teacher, or suspend such certificate for a definite period of time, through the procedure below, for any of the following causes:
(a) Prevarication, bribery or immoral conduct.
(b) Incompetency in the discharge of his duties as a teacher.
(c) Negligence in the discharge of his duties as a teacher.
(d) Insubordination.
(e) Conviction by a court of law for any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(f) For incurring conduct prohibited by § 3.14 of Act Aug. 28, 1990, No. 68.
(g) Disorderly or improper conduct, or actions that could be harmful to the reputation of the public education system of Puerto Rico.
(h) Holding a certificate through fraud or deceit.
(i) Incurring violations to §§ 1801 et seq. of Title 3, known as “Ethics in Government Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”, as administratively determined by the Director of the Government Ethics Office or by a court with competent jurisdiction.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 1; Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274-1 - Corrective measures

When the conduct of any teacher or employee of the Public Education System violates the standards established by law or regulations, the Secretary of Education shall take the necessary corrective measures, following the procedure hereby provided. Verbal admonition, written reprimands, suspension from work and pay and dismissal may all be considered. The suspension from work and pay as well as dismissals shall be notified in writing, by certified mail, to the teachers or employees of the Public Education System, indicating the findings of fact on which they are based.
The Secretary of Education may remove or suspend any teacher or employee of the Public Education System from work and pay for just cause, and upon prior bringing of charges, in writing, after holding an informal administrative hearing.
For the purposes of §§ 274 et seq. of this title, the violation of the provisions of §§ 274 and 274-2 of this title, among other similar matters, may be cause for suspension from work and pay or dismissal.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 339, added as § 2 on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274-2 - Duties of teacher or employees

The teachers or employees of the Public Education System shall have the following duties and obligations, among others:
(a) To attend work with regularity and timeliness, and to comply with the required daily work.
(b) To observe correct, courteous and respectful standards of behavior in their relationship with their supervisors, fellow-workers and the citizenry in general.
(c) To perform the tasks and duties pertinent to the position and any others that may be compatible, efficiently and diligently.
(d) To follow the instructions of their supervisors as compatible with the authority conferred on them, and with the duties and objectives goals of the agency.
(e) To keep confidential all matters regarding their work, unless expressly required by a competent authority through a permit or request. None of the above shall impair the right of citizens who have access to documents and other public information.
(f) To be available to render services as the need arises and after prior timely notice, unless the teacher or employee has due cause to refuse.
(g) To protect, preserve and safeguard documents, public properties and interests in their custody.
(h) To comply with the provisions of the laws and regulations that are applicable to the Department of Education and with the orders issued by virtue thereof.
The teachers or employees shall not:
(a) Use their official position for political partisan purposes or for other purposes that are not compatible with public service.
(b) Perform duties or tasks which may bring about a conflict of interest with their obligations as teachers or employees of the Public Education System.
(c) Incur conduct that may be improper or harmful to the good name of the Department of Education or the Government of Puerto Rico.
(d) Incur any act that may obstruct the application of §§ 274 et seq. of this title and the rules adopted by virtue thereof, nor knowingly make or accept any false statement, certification or report with regard to any matter covered by this law.
(e) To directly or indirectly give, pay, offer, solicit or accept money, services or any other valuable consideration for, or in exchange of an eligibility, appointment, promotion or other personnel action.
(f) To incur acts that may involve a violation to §§ 1801 et seq. of Title 3, known as “Ethics in Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Act”, as determined administratively by the Director of the Office of Government Ethics or by a court with jurisdiction.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 339, added as § 3 on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274a - Filing of charges

If, after an investigation, the Secretary of Education is convinced that a teacher or employee has incurred any of the causes listed in §§ 274 and 274-2 of this title, he shall serve a written filing of charges on the teacher or employee, to cancel the teacher’s certificate and/or to suspend his/her salary, or remove him/her from office, as the case may be, specifying the grounds to justify such action. The Secretary may summarily remove any teacher or employee from the performance of his/her duties without depriving them of the salary, in cases of misuse of public funds or when it can reasonably be expected that the health, life, safety or morale of the employees or the people in general could be at risk, before making a final decision on the action to be taken. The filing of charges shall be signed by the Secretary of Education or by the official to whom he may expressly delegate such power, in writing, and they shall be served on the teacher or employee by certified mail, to his/her last known address. The filing of charges shall contain a notice to the teacher or employee affected thereby of his/her right to appeal therefrom before the Board created hereby, within the term of thirty (30) days after a copy of such notice is served.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 2, renumbered as § 4 and amended on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274b - Effect of expiration of time for appeal

If not appealed within the term of thirty (30) days, the action shall become final and binding. The suspension or cancellation of the certificate shall [entail] the removal or dismissal of said teacher from office.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 3, renumbered as § 5 and amended on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274e - Public Education System Board of Appeals—Creation

The Board of Appeals of the Public Education System is hereby created, which Board shall be composed of three persons, one of whom shall be a lawyer or a bachelor of law. The same shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four (4) years, and shall hold office until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. None of the Board members may be an employee of the Public Education System and shall fulfill their respective offices without pay, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for travelling expenses incurred and shall receive per diems at a rate of thirty-five dollars ($35) for each day of meeting. The lawyer or bachelor of law shall preside over the Board, but any of its members may preside over the hearings in absence of the chairman. The Secretary of Education shall provide the Board with facilities for holding its hearings and deliberations, and with the necessary equipment for fulfilling its purposes. The Board shall appoint a secretary and any other necessary personnel who shall be included in the noncompetitive service. The Board may adopt such bylaws as it may deem fit and adequate for its proper operation. It shall have powers to issue subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents at the hearings, and it shall issue subpoenas at the request of the interested parties. Should any person summoned by the Board refuse to appear, any of the parties may request a Court of First Instance that such witness be ordered to appear and testify before the Board. The court shall then issue a subpoena compelling the witness to appear and testify before the Board. If the person still refuses to appear, he shall be prosecuted for contempt of court. Testimony before the Board shall be under oath or affirmation, and its members shall have power to administer oaths to the witnesses.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 6; June 7, 1967, No. 114, p. 354; June 24, 1971, No. 102, p. 340; Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 9; Aug. 3, 2004, No. 184, § 16i.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274e-1 - Public Education System Board of Appeals—Jurisdiction of the Board

The Board shall have appellate jurisdiction in the following cases:
(a) In personnel actions described in §§ 274, 274-1, 274-2 and 274j of this title.
(b) In cases where citizens claim that an action or decision affecting them violates their right to enter the Personnel System of the Department of Education in compliance with the merit principle.
(c) In cases where teachers or employees claim that an action or decision of the Secretary of Education violates their rights in areas essential to the merit principle, pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of the Department of Education.
(d) In every action or decision related to the granting, denial and/or modification of a teacher’s certificate pursuant to the provisions of §§ 260 et seq. of this title, and its regulations.
(e) In cases of teachers or employees arising from an action or decision by the Department on or after August 28, 1990 [sic], whenever the provisions of §§ 1332 and 1333 of Title 3, are applicable.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 339, added as § 7 on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274e-2 - Public Education System Board of Appeals—Term to file appeal

The affected party according to § 274e-1 of this title shall file its writ of appeal before the Board within thirty (30) days from the date to notification of the action or decision subject to the appeal. This term is of a jurisdictional nature.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 339, added as § 8 on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274f - Public Education System Board of Appeals—Hearing; setting

Upon being served notice of the writ of appeal, the Board shall select the date, place and time for the holding of a hearing on the appeal.
Notice of said hearing shall be given no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date set for it to be held. The appellant shall be advised of his/her right to appear personally or [be] assisted by counsel, to give evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 7, renumbered as § 9 and amended on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE EIGHTEEN - Education (§§ 1 — 3510-3520) › PART I - Public Schools (§§ 1 — 596d) › Chapter 13 - Teachers’ Qualifications and Removal (§§ 211 — 274p) › § 274g - Public Education System Board of Appeals—Hearing; full Board; testimony

The hearing shall be held before the full Board, or before one or two of its members, or before an examining official designated by the Board. The testimony shall be taken by a stenographer or by means of a recorder, on indelible tape.
History —June 30, 1965, No. 115, p. 321, § 8; June 7, 1967, No. 114, p. 354; June 24, 1971, No. 102, p. 340; renumbered as § 10 and amended on Aug. 28, 1991, No. 78, § 13.