MAJOR LEGAL BASES

The Philippine Constitutions

1. 1935 CONSTITUTION, Article XIV Section 5

2. 1973 CONSTITUTION, Article XV Section 8 (1-8)
3. 1987 CONSTITUTION, Article XIV Sections 1-5(5)

THE 1987 CONSTITUTIONS

Article XIV Sections 1-5(5)

Section 1. The state shall protect and promote the right of all the citizens to quality education at
all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Section 2. The state shall:

1. Establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people and society;
2. Establish and maintain s system of free public education in the elementary and high school
levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary
education is compulsory for all children of school age;
3. Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies
and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and
private schools, especially to the underprivileged;
4. Encourage non- formal, informal and indigenous learning system, as well as self- learning
independent and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to
community needs; and
5. Provide adult citizens, the disabled and out-of-school youth with training in civics,
vocational efficiency and skills.

Section 3.
1. All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the
curricula.
2. They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human
rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the
country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values,
develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking,
broaden scientific and technological knowledge and promote efficiency.
3. At the option expressed in writing by the parent or guardians, religion shall be allowed to
be taught to their children or wards in the public elementary and high schools within the
regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of
the religion to which the children or wards belong, additional cost to the Government.

Section 4.
1. The state recognizes the complementary roles of the public and private institutions in the
educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all
educational institutions.
2. Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups and mission
boards, shall be allowed solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations or
associations at least sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by such citizens.
The Congress may, however, require increased Filipino equity participation in all
 educational institutions. The control and administration of educational institutions shall
vested in citizens of the Philippines. No educational institution shall be established
exclusively for aliens and no group of aliens shall comprise more than one third of the
enrollment in any school. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to schools
established for foreign diplomatic personnel and their dependents and, unless otherwise
provided by law, for other foreign temporary residents.
3. All revenues and assets of non- stock, non- profit educational institutions used actually,
directly and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
Upon the dissolution or cessation of the corporate existence of such institutions, their
assets shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law. Proprietary educational
institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may likewise be entitled to such
exemptions subject to the limitations provided by law including restrictions on dividends
and provisions for reinvestment.
4. Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants endowments, donations or contributions
used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from tax.

Section 5.
1. The State shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and conditions and shall
encourage local planning in the development of educational policies and programs.
2. Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.
3. Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject to fair,
reasonable and equitable admission and academic requirements.
4. The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. Non- teaching
academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the State.
5. The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching
will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate
remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 232 (THE EDUCATION ACT OF 1982)

This was an act providing for the establishment and maintenance of an integrated system of
education. In accordance with Section 2, this act shall apply to and govern both formal and non-
formal system in public and private schools in all levels of the entire educational system.

As provided by this Act, the national development goals are as follows:

1. To achieve and maintain an accelerating rate of economic development and social
progress.
2. To assure the maximum participation of all the people in the attainment and enjoyment of
the benefits of such growth; and
3. To achieve and strengthen national unity and consciousness and preserve, develop and
promote desirable cultural, moral and spiritual values in changing world.

It is also stated in Section 3 that:

The State shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality education, regardless of
sex, age, creed socio- economic status, physical and mental conditions, racial or ethnic origin,
political or other affiliation. The State shall therefore promote and maintain equality of access to
education as well as the benefits of education by all its citizens.
RIGHTS OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOL (Section 9)

1. The right to receive competent instruction, relevant quality education.

2. The right to freely choose their field of study subject to the existing curricula and continue
their course up to graduation, except in cases of academic deficiency or violations of
disciplinary regulations.
3. The right to school guidance and counseling services.
4. The right to access to his owns school records and the confidentiality of it.
5. The right to issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer
credentials and similar document within thirty days from request.
6. The right to publish a student newspaper and invite resource persons during symposia,
assemblies and other activities.
7. The right to free expression of opinions and suggestions and to effective channels of
communication with appropriate academic and administrative bodies of the school or
institutions.
8. The right to form or establish, join and participate in organizations and societies
recognized by the school…, or to form, join and maintain organizations and societies for
purposes not contrary to law.
9. The right to be free from involuntary contributions except those approved by their
organizations and societies.

RIGHT OF ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL (Section 10)

1. Free expression of opinions and suggestions.

2. To be provided with free legal service by the appropriate government office in case of
public school personnel and the school authorities concerned in case of private school
personnel, when charged in administrative, civil and/or criminal proceedings, by parties
other than the school authorities concerned, for actions committed directly in the lawful
discharged of professional duties and/or in defense of school policies.
3. Establish join, maintain labor organization of their choice to promote their welfare and
defend their interest.
4. To be free from involuntary contributions except those imposed by their own organizations.

SPECIAL RIGHTS and/or PRIVILEGES OF TEACHING OR ACADEMIC STAFF (Section 11)

1. Right to be free compulsory assignment not related to their duties defined in their
appointment or employment contracts unless compensated thereof. (additional
compensation Sec. 14 R.A. 4670- at least 25% his regular remuneration)
2. Right to intellectual property………
3. Teachers are persons in authority when in lawful discharge of duties and responsibilities…
shall therefore be accorded due respect and protection (Commonwealth Act No. 578)
4. Teachers shall be given opportunity to choose career alternatives for advancements.

RIGHTS OF ADMINISTRATORS (Section 12)

1. School administrators shall be deemed persons in authority while in the lawful discharge
of their duties and responsibilities…. Shall be accorded due respect and protection
(Commonwealth Act No. 578)
RIGHTS OF SCHOOLS (Section 13)

1. The right of their governing boards…….to adopt and enforce administrative or

management systems.
2. The right of institutions of higher learning to determine on academic grounds who shall be
admitted to study, who may teach, and who shall be the subjects of the study and
research.

MAINTENANCE OF QUALITY EDUCATION

1. Voluntary Accreditation (Section 29)

2. Teachers and Administrators obligations and qualification (Sections 176 and 17)
3. Government Financial Assistance to Private Schools (Section 41)

OTHER LEGAL BASES

1. Act No. 74

This law was enacted on January 21, 1901 by the Philippine Commission, and provided:
a. Establishment of the Department of Public Instruction headed by the General
superintendent;
b. The archipelago was divided into school divisions and districts for effective management
of the school system;
c. English was made as medium of instruction in all levels of schooling;
d. Optional religious instructions in all schools (Section 16); and
e. Establishment of a Trade school in Manila (Philippine College of Arts and Trade- PCAT
now known as Technological University of the Philippines), a school of Agriculture in
Negros, a Normal school in Manila (Philippine Normal School) (Section 18). Philippine
Normal School, however, was renamed Philippine Normal College (PNC) by virtue of
Republic Act No. 416 on June 18, 1949. And on December 26, 1991, the PNC was
converted to Philippine Normal University as provided by Republic Act No. 7168.

2. Act No. 2706

This was known as the “Private School Law”, enacted on March 10, 1917 by the Philippine
Legislature, which made obligatory the recognition and inspection of private schools and colleges
by the Secretary of Public Instruction so as to maintain a standard of efficiency in all private
schools and colleges in the country.

This law was amended by Commonwealth Act No. 180 passed on November 13, 1936 which
provided that:

The Secretary of Public Instruction was vested with power to “supervise, inspect and regulate
said schools and colleges in order to determine the efficiency of instruction given in the same.”
And all private schools come under the supervision and regulation of the Secretary of DPI, thus
eliminating “diploma mills” and substandard schools.
3. Commonwealth Act No. 1 (Amended by R.A. 9163)

Known as the “National Defense Act” passed by the Philippine Assembly on December 21, 1935,
which provided in Section 81 that:

“Preparatory Military training shall be given with the youth in the elementary grade school
at the age of ten years and shall extend through the remainder of his schooling into college
or post-secondary education.

By virtue of Presidential Decree 1706, issued by the late President Marcos on August 8, 1980,
otherwise known as the “National Service Law”, Commonwealth Act No. 1 was amended, and
required all citizens to render, civic welfare service, law enforcement service and military service.

4. Commonwealth Act No. 80

This law created the Office of Adult Education on October 26, 1936, so as to eliminate illiteracy
and to give vocational and citizenship training to adult citizens of the country.

5. Commonwealth Act No. 578

Enacted on June 8, 1940, conferred the status of “persons in authority” upon the teachers,
professors, and persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools,
colleges and universities.

This Act also provided a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to six
years and a fine ranging from 500 to 1, 000 pesos upon any person found guilty of assault upon
those teaching personnel.

6. Commonwealth Act No. 586 (Repealed by R.A. 896)

This is known as Education Act of 1940. It was approved on August 7, 1940 by the Philippine
Assembly.

The law provided for the following:

a. Reduction of seven- year elementary course to six- year elementary course;
b. Fixing the school entrance age to seven;
c. National support of elementary education;
d. Compulsory attendance in the primary grades for all children who enroll in Grade
I; and
e. Introduction of double- single session- one class in the morning and another in the
afternoon under one teacher to accommodate more children.

7. Commonwealth Act No. 589

This law, approved on August 19, 1940, established a school ritual in all public and private
elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines.

The ritual consists of solemn and patriotic ceremonies that include the singing of the National
Anthem and Patriotic Pledges.
8. Republic Act No. 139 (Repealed by R. A. 8047)

Enacted on June 14, 1947, and the Board of Textbooks. This law provided that all public schools
must only use books that are approved by the Board for a period of six years from the date of
their adoption.

The private schools may use books of their choice, provided the Board of Textbooks has no
objections with those books.

9. Republic Act No. 896

Enacted on June 20, 1953 and known as the Elementary Education Act of 1953, it repealed
Commonwealth Act 586 and provided for the following:
a. Restoration of Grade VII (but never implemented due to lack of funds);
b. Abolition of the double- single session and return to the former practice of only
one;
c. Class under one teacher in the primary and three teachers to two classes or five
teachers to three classes in the intermediate level;
d. Compulsory completion of the elementary grades; and
e. Compulsory enrollment of children in the public schools upon attaining seven years
of age.

10. Republic Act No. 1124 (Repealed by R. A. 7722)

Approved on June 16, 1954, this law created the Board of National Education charged with the
duty of formulating general educational policies and directing the educational interests of the
nation.

However, this Board which was later renamed National Board of Education (P.D. No. 1), was
abolished by virtue of the Creation of the board of Higher Education as stipulated in Batas
Pambansa Blg. 232. The Board’s function is now assumed by the commission on Higher
Education or CHED by virtue of Republic Act No. 7722.

11. Republic Act No. 1265 (amended by R. A. 8491)

This law was approved on June 11, 1955, and provided that a daily flag ceremony shall be
compulsory in all educational institutions. This includes the singing of the Philippine National
Anthem.

12. Republic Act No. 1425

It was approved on June 12, 1956, it prescribed the inclusion in the curricula of all schools, both
public and private, from elementary schools to the universities, the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal especially the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

13. Republic Act No. 4670

Known as the “Magna Carta for Public School Teachers”. This was approved on June 18, 1966
to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and
working conditions, their employment and career prospects.
It also provided the following:

1. Recruitment qualifications for teachers

2. Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers
3. Teaching hours- 6 hours of classroom teaching (maximum load)
4. Additional compensation- 25% of the regular remuneration
5. Health and injury benefits (thru the GSIS)
6. One year study leave (sabbatical leave) after seven years of continuous teaching, the
teacher should receive 60% of the monthly salary.
7. One range salary increase upon retirement (basis computing the retirement fee).
8. Freedom to form organizations.

14. Republic Act No. 1079

Approved on June 15, 1959, it provided that Civil Service eligibility shall be permanent and shall
have no time limit.

15. Republic Act No. 6655

Known as the “Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988”, it was approved on May 26,
1988 and provided for:
a. Free public secondary education to all qualified citizens and promote quality
education at all level.
b. No tuition or other fees shall be collected except fees related to membership in the
school community such I.D., student organization and publication.
c. Non- payment of these shall not hinder a student from enrollment or graduation.
d. Nationalization of all public secondary schools (Section 7).
e. A student who fails in majority of his academic subjects for two consecutive years
could no longer avail of their program.