Republic Act No.

6655

May 26, 1988

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

H. No. 2528

First Regular Session

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6655

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR A FREE PUBLIC SECONDARY

EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title.—This Act shall be known as the “Free Public Secondary

Education Act of 1988.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—It is the policy of the State to provide for a free
public secondary education to all qualified citizens and to promote quality
education at all levels.

SEC. 3. Definitions.—For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a) Free Public Secondary Education.—Means that the students enrolled in
secondary course offerings in national high schools, general comprehensive high
schools, state colleges and universities, specialized schools, trade, technical,
vocational, fishery and agricultural schools, and in schools established,
administered, maintained and funded by local government units, including city,
provincial, municipal and barangay high schools, and those public high schools
which may be established by law, shall be free from payment of tuition and other
school fees;

b) Tuition Fee.—Refers to the fee representing direct costs of instruction, training

and other related activities and for the student’s use of the instruction and
training facilities;

c) Other School Fees.—Refer to those fees which cover the other necessary costs
supportive of instruction, including but not limited to medical and dental, athletic,
library, laboratory and Citizens Army Training (CAT) fees.

However, fees related to membership in the school community such as

identification cards, student organizations and publications may be collected,
provided that nonpayment to these fees shall not in any case be a bar to the
enrollment or graduation of any student.

SEC. 4. Implementation of Free Public Secondary Education.—The system of free

public secondary education as provided in this Act shall commence in School Year
1988-1989, and that the students enrolled in secondary course offerings in
national and general comprehensive high schools, state colleges and universities,
specialized schools, trade, technical, vocational, fishery and agricultural schools,
and in schools established, administered, maintained and funded by local
government units, including city, provincial, municipal and barangay high schools
and those public high schools which may be established by law, shall be free from
payment of tuition and other school fees, except fees related to membership in
the school community such as identification cards, student organizations and
publications which may be collected: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall cause
or authorize the reduction or removal of any benefit which the national or local
government may have granted to the students, teachers and other school
personnel of these public high schools prior to the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. Formulation of a Secondary Education Curriculum. — The Department of

Education, Culture and Sports shall formulate a secondary education curriculum in
order to upgrade its quality, efficiency and access. In addition to providing the
high school students with general skills, knowledge and values, such a curriculum
must include vocational and technical courses that will give the students gainful
employment.

SEC. 6. Limitation.—The right of any student to avail of free public high school
shall terminate if he fails for two (2) consecutive school years in the majority of
the academic subjects in which he is enrolled during the course of his study unless
such failure is due to some valid cause.

SEC. 7. Nationalization of Public Secondary Schools.—To effectively implement

the system, the establishment, renaming, conversion, integration, separation,
administration, supervision and control of all public secondary schools and public
secondary school teachers and other school personnel, including the payment of
their salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits as well as those already
provided by local governments are hereby vested in the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports.
SEC. 8. Priority in Admission.—Graduates of public elementary schools in a
municipality shall be given priority in admission when the present facilities in the
same municipality cannot accommodate all of those applying for enrollment in
the public high schools.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations.—The Secretary of Education, Culture

and Sports shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 10. Funding.—The President is hereby authorized to realign or transfer any

item of appropriation within the Department of Education, Culture and Sports
and/or utilize any savings therein to carry out the purposes of this Act. Whatever
additional amount as may be needed for its implementation shall be included in
the General Appropriations Acts for the ensuing fiscal years.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause.—All laws or parts thereof, inconsistent with any
provision of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified as the case may be.

SEC. 12. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, May 26, 1988.

The Official Gazette is the official journal of the Republic of the Philippines. Edited
at the Office of the President of the Philippines Under Commonwealth Act No.
638

Republic Act No. 7784

August 4, 1994

H. No. 12229

S. No. 1352

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila

Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth

day of July, nineteen hundred and ninety-three.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7784]

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY

ESTABLISHING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, CREATING A TEACHER EDUCATION
COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE, 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. Declaration of Policy – It is the declared policy of the State to protect

and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. It is likewise
universally recognized that the teacher is the key to the effectiveness of the
teaching-learning process by drawing out and nurturing the best in the learner as
a human being and a worthy member of society Thus, this Act aims to provide
and ensure quality education by strengthening the education and training of
teachers nationwide through a national system of excellence for teacher
education.

Our vision is a teacher education system whose mission is to educate an train

teachers of unquestionable integrity and competence, and who are committed to
their continuing professional growth and obligation to help their students grow as
responsible individuals and citizens of the Philippines and of the world.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms – As used in this Act:

(a) “Teacher” shall mean all persons engaged in the classroom teaching of any
subject, including practical/vocational arts, at the elementary and secondary
levels of instruction including persons performing guidance and counseling,
instructional supervision in all private or public education institutions, but shall
not include school nurses, school physicians, school dentists, school
administrators, and other school administrative support employees. Graduates of
education who have passed the government examination for teachers although
not actually employed as such, are hereby included in this definition.

(b) “Teacher education” shall mean the pre-service education, in-service

education, and graduate education of teachers, in various areas of specialization.

(c) “Excellence” pertains to the efficient, effective and innovative delivery of

relevant, functional, and quality programs in teacher education, training, research
and community service.

(d) “Center of excellence” shall be a public or private college, institute, school or

agency, engaged in the pre-service and continuing education, formal and non-
formal, of teachers and teacher educators, that has established and continues to
maintain a track record in teacher education (in terms of number of graduates
and their performance in the government examination for teachers and their
professional achievement), research, and community service; whose graduates
are models of integrity, commitment and dedication in education. The centers of
excellence may exist by themselves or within a university or college.

SEC. 3. Teacher Education Centers of Excellence. – There shall be identified,

designated, established and developed in strategic places in each of the regions of
the country, one or more centers of excellence for teacher education based on
criteria listed hereunder, assessed and adjudged by the Council. These centers of
excellence shall be initially chosen from among existing public and private
educational institutions by the Teacher Education Council created under this Act.
Should the need arise, certain centers of excellence for teacher education at the
provincial level may later be identified and developed.

The criteria in identifying schools and colleges as centers of excellence shall

include the following: (a) highly educated, professionally qualified and
experienced faculty dedicated to the philosophy, mission, vision and goals of the
institution and education; (b) well-selected students; (c) adequate library,
research and study facilities; (d) competent administrative and support staff; (e)
well-planned and relevant instructional programs; (f) adequate student
development programs; (g) adequate student services; (h) relevant extension
service and outreach programs; (i) percentage of graduates who become
teachers; and (j) such other criteria as may be established and operationalized by
the Teacher Education Council.

The Teacher Education Center of Excellence shall form a national network which
in turn shall network with elementary schools, high schools and/or a part thereof
for laboratory purposes.

Any center of excellence that is established shall be maintained for at least five (5)
years before any proposal or review is made to transfer it elsewhere.

SEC. 4: Objectives and Functions of a Center of Excellence. – The objectives and

functions of a center of excellence shall be to:

(a) Experiment and try out relevant and innovative pre-service/in-service teacher
education/training programs;
(b) Organize and coordinate collaborative research on identified areas for
systematic investigation in teacher education as basis for improving teacher
education programs;

(c) Serve as teacher resource center for curricular/instructional materials

development;

(d) Serve as the central node for networking specific disciplines in teacher
education in the region;

(e) Provide professional assistance to Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) that

have expressed the need for such assistance;

(f) Encourage mutual support among TEIs in the region for upgrading and
improving their programs; and

(g) Facilitate and help expedite accreditation among TEIs.

SEC. 5. Creation of the Teacher Education Council. – There shall be a Teacher

Education Council composed of eleven (11) members with the Secretary of
Education, Culture and Sports as ex officio chairman, and three (3) other ex officio
members, namely: a Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), a representative of the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA),
and the Chairman of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
The seven (7) regular members of the Council who shall be appointed by the
President of the Republic of the Philippines are:

(a) Three (3) representatives of centers of teacher education: one (1) from Luzon,
one (1) from the Visayas, and one (1) from Mindanao who shall take into account
the views of the parents-teachers and community associations, student
associations, nongovernmental organizations, and people organizations
concerned with basic education;

One (1) representative of science teachers;

One (1) representative of mathematics teachers;

One (1) representative of social studies teachers; and

One (1) representative of language teachers.

The other officers of the Council shall be elected by the members from among the
regular members.

The members of the Council shall serve without any compensation but shall be
reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out
their duties under this Act.
The Council shall meet at least four (4) times a year and hold such other meetings
at the call of the chairman or a majority of the members.

All regular members of the Council shall hold office for a -period of three (3)
years.

SEC 6. Criteria for the Selection of Regular Council Members. – The criteria for the
selection of the regular Council members are as follows:

(a) Integrity;

(b) Expertise and experience in teacher education;

(c) Recognized as an expert, nationally or internationally; and

(d) Willingness to serve.

SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Council. – The Council shall have the
following powers and functions:

(a) To identify and designate among existing private and public schools, teacher
education institutions as Centers of Excellence for Teacher Education, at the
national, regional, and provincial levels;
(b) To formulate policies and standards that shall strengthen and improve the
system of teacher education in all existing public and private schools;

(c) Initiate a periodic review of curricula and programs for teacher education and
training through participatory methods, such as self-assessment by institutions;

(d) To adopt an adequate and effective system of incentives such as scholarship

grants, loan programs, subsidies, stipends and other similar benefits and
incentives, in order to attract and encourage outstanding high school graduates
whether from public or private schools, to pursue teacher education;

(e) To encourage the establishment of consortia and other cooperative

arrangements among teacher education schools, public or private, for greater
efficiency and economy in the use of resources;

(f) Design collaborative programs or projects that will enhance pre-service teacher
training, in-service training, re training, orientation, and teacher development;

(g) To direct the conduct of relevant studies as may be needed in the formulation
of policies and in the planning and successful implementation of plans, programs
and projects required in attaining the purposes of this Act;

(h) To review existing and recommend new legislation and policies of the
government in order to improve teacher education and promote the welfare of
teachers;
(i) To recommend appropriate measures to the President, Congress, and heads of
other government offices and agencies to improve, enhance and strengthen
teacher education; and

(j) To call upon any department, bureau, office, or government corporation, local
government unit and other concerned agencies for assistance in areas falling
within their mandate.

SEC. 8. Secretariat. – The Council shall organize and appoint a secretariat headed
by an executive director, that shall assist the Council in executing its policies and
programs and provide the necessary administrative support therefor.

SEC. 9. Active Participation of Local Government Units. -Local government units

shall include in their plans, programs, and projects the development and’
improvement of teacher education through the centers of excellence in their
respective regions.

SEC. 10. Appropriation. – The sum of One hundred million pesos (P100, 000,000)
is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the income of duty-free shops or
otherwise known as the Trust Liability Account of the Department of Tourism, for
the initial organizational and developmental activities of the Centers and the
Council: Provided, however, That .lot more than five percent (5%) shall be
devoted to Council’s expenses. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. – The Teacher Education Council
created under this Act shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations
sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, rules or regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act arc hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC 13. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall lake effect upon its approval.

Approved,

(Sgd.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA

President of the Senate (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA, JR.

Speaker of the House

of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 10493 and Senate Bill No. 1352
was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on June 1,
1994.

(Sgd.) EDGARDO E. TUMANGAN

Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd.) CAMILO L. SABIO

Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved:

04 AUG 1994

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As benefits, RA 7687 scholars will receive tuition subsidy, monthly stipend, book allowance and
many more. Scholars under the Merit scholarship program will likewise receive the same
benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend based on the family's socio-economic status.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7687

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7687 - AN ACT INSTITUTING A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Science and Technology
Scholarship Act of 1994".

Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. - Science and technology are essential for national
development and progress. The State shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation and their utilization; and to science and
technology education, training and services.

In line with the above, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the
development of the country's science and technology manpower in line with
economic development and to provide the capability required in the areas of
research, development, innovation as well as their utilization. As such, it shall
provide for scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives to deserving
science students and other specially-gifted citizens to enable them to pursue
higher education or training in areas of science and technology.

Sec. 3. General Objectives. - To carry out the foregoing policy, this Act strengthens
the country's science and technology manpower by creating a pool of scientists,
engineers and technicians who shall fill the needs of industrialization. Towards
this end, scholarships shall be provided to finance the education of poor, talented
and deserving students desiring to pursue a degree or training in areas of science
and technology as are recognized or permitted by law.

Sec. 4. Science and Technology Scholarship Fund. - There is hereby created a

Science and Technology Scholarship Fund, hereinafter known as the Fund, to be
administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial

implementation of this Act, shall be charged against the current Fiscal Year
Appropriations of the DOST.

In order to provide funds necessary for the continuous implementation of the

program for every year following its initial implementation, the budget of the
DOST shall be increased in the amount of Sixty million pesos (P60M) per year until
it eventually reaches the amount of Three hundred million pesos (P300M) to
sustain the recipients of the scholarship during the duration of their study.

Sec. 6. Coverage. - The grant of any scholarship award from the Fund shall be
applied only in the field of science, mathematics, engineering, and such other
areas in the undergraduate or postgraduate courses as may be provided for in the
rules and regulations to be promulgated by the DOST and the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS): provided, however, that the scholarship
grant for the postgraduate level shall not be limited to those scholars or
recipients who are graduates of the undergraduate scholarship program.

Sec. 7. Assistance to Grantees. - The grantee of the scholarship program under

this Act is entitled to financial assistance which may include tuition and other
school fees, outright grant for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies,
outright grant for prescribed military science and physical education uniform,
transportation expenses and monthly living allowance: provided, however, that in
the granting of financial assistance, the availability of funds, purchasing power of
the peso and rate of financial assistance given under other government
scholarship programs must be considered.

Sec. 8. Qualifications. - In order to qualify for the scholarship program, the

applicant must be:

a) a member of the top five percent (5%) of the high school graduating class,
regardless of gender, religion, and cultural affiliation;

b) a resident of the municipality for the last four (4) years prior to availing of the
scholarship, as attested by the school records; and

c) of good moral character and in good health.

Sec. 9. Value Formation Program. - The scholarship program under this Act shall
be supported by appropriate courses for value formation of scholars that will
inculcate in them the virtues of nationalism, industriousness, honesty,
commitment to national development and an effective work ethic.

SECTION 10. Distribution of Scholarship Slots. - The DOST in line with this Act shall
provide for a proportional and equitable allotment of slots for identified fields of
science and technology to attain a balanced distribution of manpower in terms of
number and expertise. The DOST shall organize a program geared towards
enlisting at least two (2) scholars in each municipality of the Philippines and at
least ten (10) scholars for those congressional districts without municipality.
Qualified members of the cultural minority in appropriate cases shall be given due
preference.

SECTION 11. Place of Study in the Country. - The recipient of the scholarship
privileges under this Act shall be required to pursue their degree program and/or
the vocational, technical, or other courses specified under this Act at any
academic or training institutions duly accredited by the DECS and the DOST and in
private schools accredited by Federation of Accrediting Agencies in the Philippines
(FAAP).

Refusal or failure to comply with this provision shall be ground for disqualification
from the Program.

SECTION 12. Place of Study Outside the Home Country. - The scholarship grant
provided herein shall not be limited to studying only in any school in this country
but would include scholars who can be granted the opportunity to study abroad
in schools specializing in courses stated therein: provided, however, that a
grantee who has qualified for study abroad must execute an undertaking binding
himself to return to the country to fulfill his service obligation on the basis of the
length of his scholarship. The Department of Foreign Affairs is hereby directed to
give full assistance in enforcing such undertaking.

SECTION 13. Service Obligation. - Immediately upon completion of a Bachelor of

Science course, a scholar shall serve the country on full-time basis only along his
field of training for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time a scholar
enjoyed the scholarship by rendering service to his province or municipality by
organizing technology-based livelihood activities or enterprises, teaching, or such
other service related to the course or training he has completed, and, for this
purpose, requiring the execution of a contract between the Government and the
scholar incorporating the details of the said service obligation.

Any recipient of the program who has not completed his course shall render
service to the country equivalent to the number of years he enjoyed the
scholarship.

For the purpose stated in paragraph 1 of this Section, government banks, financial
institutions, and appropriate agencies shall provide priority access to credit,
research and development facilities, support programs and other assistance to
graduate scholars under this Act where the same may be sound and viable.

Any scholar who violates the service obligation imposed under this section shall
be liable to reimburse the Government of the fund assistance received under this
Act in full or pro tanto as the case may be.

SECTION 14. Post Scholarship Incentives. - In order to encourage graduates of the

scholarship program under this Act to serve in fulfillment of their service
obligation and entice them to continue to stay and serve in the country even
beyond their service obligation, they shall be entitled to the following incentives:

a) priority for job placement in the Government or in the private sector in

positions appropriate to their area of education or training;

b) grants-in-aid and access to government research facilities in the conduct of

research and development projects and other service and technology activities;
c) access to credit with liberal terms from government banks and financial
institutions;

d) payment of hardship and/or hazard allowance to those who are engaged in

research and other science and technology activities that posed danger and
caused hardship to their well-being; and

e) travel and accident insurance coverage.

SECTION 15. Advisory Committee. - There is hereby created a committee

composed of the Secretary of Science and Technology as Chairman, and the
Secretaries or Heads of the following departments or agencies or their chosen
representatives as members: Education, Culture and Sports; Budget and
Management; Agriculture; Trade and Industry; Interior and Local Government;
Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority; and two (2)
representatives from the private sector one (1) of whom shall come from the
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and one (1) from other sectors.

To ensure the effective coordination of the program, said body shall act in an
advisory capacity in its implementation.

SECTION 16. Implementing Body. - The scholarship program herein provided shall
be directly implemented by the DOST through the Science Education Institute.
SECTION 17. Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the approval of
this Act, the DOST in joint collaboration with the DECS shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions
thereof.

SECTION 18. Transitory Provisions. - Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this
Act, existing state colleges and universities and private schools with curriculum
offerings on science and technology shall ipso facto be deemed accredited.

SECTION 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - In the event any of the provisions of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected
by such declaration.

Sec. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: March 2, 1994