BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.

232

September 11, 1982

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF

AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1
Preliminary Matters
Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Education Act of 1982."
Section 2. Coverage - This Act shall apply to and govern both formal and
non-formal systems in public and private schools in all levels of the entire
educational system.
CHAPTER 2
Declaration of Basic State Policy and Objectives
Section 3. Declaration of Basic Policy - It is the policies of the State to
established and maintain a complete, adequate and integrated system of
education relevant to the goals of national development. Toward this end,
the government shall ensure, within the context of a free and democratic
system, maximum contribution of the educational system to the attainment
of the following national developmental goals:
1. To achieve and maintain an accelerating rate of economic
development and social progress;
2. To ensure 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 a changing world.
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 enjoyment of the benefits of education by all its citizens.
The state shall promote the right of the nation's cultural communities in the
exercise of their right to develop themselves within the context of their
cultures, customs, traditions, interest and belief, and recognizes education as
an instrument for their maximum participation in national development and
in ensuring their involvement in achieving national unity.
Section 4. Declaration of Objectives - The educational system aim to:
1. Provide for a broad general education that will assist each
individuals in the peculiar ecology of his own society, to
(a) attain his potentials as a human being;
(b) enhance the range and quality of individual and group
participation in the basic functions of society; and
(c) acquire the essential educational foundation of his
development into a productive and versatile citizen;

2. Train the nation's manpower in the middle-level skills for national

development;
3. Develop the profession that will provide leadership for the nation in
the advancement of knowledge for improving the quality of human life;
and
4. Respond effectively to changing needs and conditions of the nation
through a system of educational planning and evaluation.
Towards the realization of these objectives, and pursuant to the Constitution,
all educational institutions shall aim to inculcate love of country, teach the
duties of citizenship, and develop moral character, personal discipline, and
scientific, technological, and vocational efficiency.
Furthermore, the educational system shall reach out to educationally
deprived communities, in order to give meaningful reality to their
membership in the national society, to enrich their civic participation in the
community and national life, and to unify all Filipinos into a free and just
nation.
II. THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY
CHAPTER 1
Preliminary Provisions
Section 5. Declaration of Policy and Objectives - It is likewise declared
government policy to foster, at all times, a spirit of shared purposes and
cooperation among the members and elements of the educational
community, and between the community and other sectors of society, in the
realization that only in such an atmosphere can be true goals and objectives
of education be fulfilled.
Moreover, the State shall:
1. Aid and support the natural right and duty of parents in the rearing
of the youth through the educational system.
2. Promote and safeguard the welfare and interest of the students by
defining their rights and obligations, according them privileges, and
encouraging the establishment of sound relationships between them
and the other members of the school community.
3. Promote the social economic status of all school personnel, uphold
their rights, define their obligations, and improve their living and
working conditions and career prospects.
4. Extend support to promote the viability of those institutions through
which parents, students and school personnel seek to attain their
educational goals.
Section 6. Definition and Coverage - "Educational community" refers to
those persons or groups of persons as such or associated in institutions
involved in organized teaching and learning systems.
The members and elements of the educational community are:
1. "Parents" or guardians or the head of the institution or foster home
which has custody of the pupil or student.

2. "Students," or those enrolled in and who regularly attend and

educational institution of secondary or higher level of a person
engaged in formal study. "Pupils," are those who regularly attend a
school of elementary level under the supervision and tutelage of a
teacher.
3 "School personnel," or all persons working for an educational
institution, which includes the following:
a. "Teaching or academic staff," or all persons engaged in actual
teaching and/or research assignments, either on full-time or parttime basis, in all levels of the educational system.
b. "School administrators," or all persons occupying policy
implementing positions having to do with the functions of the
school in all levels.
c. "Academic non-teaching personnel," or those persons holding
some academic qualifications and performing academic functions
directly supportive of teaching, such as registrars, librarians,
research assistants, research aides, and similar staff.
d. "Non-academic personnel," or all other school personnel not
falling under the definition and coverage of teaching and
academic staff, school administrators and academic nonteaching personnel.
4. "Schools," or institutions recognized by the State which undertake
educational operations.
Section 7. Community Participation. - Every educational institution shall
provide for the establishment of appropriate bodies through which the
members of the educational community may discuss relevant issues, and
communicate information and suggestions for assistance and support of the
school and for the promotion of their common interest.
Representatives from each subgroup of the educational community shall sit
and participate in these bodies, the rules and procedures of which must be
approved by them and duly published.
CHAPTER 2
Rights
Section 8. Rights of Parents - In addition to other rights under existing laws,
all parents who have children enrolled in a school have the following rights:
1. The right to organize by themselves and/or with teachers for the
purpose of providing a forum for the discussion of matters relating to
the total school program, and for ensuring the full cooperation of
parents and teachers in the formulation and efficient implementation
of such programs.
2. The right to access to any official record directly relating to the
children who are under their parental responsibility.
Section 9. Right of Students in School - In addition to other rights, and
subject to the limitation prescribed by law and regulations, and student and
pupils in all schools shall enjoy the following rights:

1. The right to receive, primarily through competent instruction,

relevant quality education in line with national goals and conducive to
their full development as person with human dignity.
2. The right to freely choose their field of study subject to existing
curricula and to continue their course therein up to graduation, except
in cases of academic deficiency, or violation of disciplinary regulations.

3. The right to school guidance and counseling services for decisions

and selecting the alternatives in fields of work suited to his
potentialities.
4. The right of access to his own school records, the confidentiality of
which the school shall maintain and preserve.
5. The right to the issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript
of records, grades, transfer credentials and other similar documents
within thirty days from request.
6. The right to publish a student newspaper and similar publications, as
well as the right to invite resource persons during assemblies,
symposia and other activities of similar nature.
7. The right to free expression of opinions and suggestions, and to
effective channels of communication with appropriate academic
channels and administrative bodies of the school or institution.
8. The right to form, establish, join and participate in organizations and
societies recognized by the school to foster their intellectual, cultural,
spiritual and physical growth and development, or to form, establish,
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 own he organizations or societies.
Section 10. Rights of all School Personnel - In addition to other rights
provided for by law, the following rights shall be enjoyed by all school
personnel:
1. The right to free expression of opinion and suggestions, and to
effective channels of communication with appropriate academic and
administrative bodies of the school or institution.
2. The right to be provided with free legal service by the appropriate
government office in the case of public school personnel, and through
the school authorities concerned in the case of private school
personnel, when charged in an administrative, civil and/or criminal
proceedings by parties other than the school or regulatory authorities
concerned for actions committed directly in the lawful discharge of
professional duties and/or in defense of school policies.
3. The right to establish, join and maintain labor organizations and/or
professional and self-regulating organizations of their choice to
promote their welfare and defend their interests.

4. The right to be free from involuntary contributions except those

imposed by their own organizations.
Section 11. Special Rights and/or Privileges of Teaching or Academic Staf Further to the rights mentioned in the preceding Section, every member of
the teaching or academic staff shall enjoy the following rights and/or
privileges:
1. The right to be free from compulsory assignments not related to
their duties as defined in their appointments or employment contracts,
unless compensated therefor, conformably to existing law.
2. The right to intellectual property consistent with applicable laws.

3. Teachers shall be deemed persons in authority when in the

discharge of lawful duties and responsibilities, and shall, therefore, be
accorded due respect and protection.
4. Teachers shall be accorded the opportunity to choose alternative
career lines either in school administration, in classroom teaching, or
others, for purposes of career advancement.
Section 12. Special Rights of School Administration - School administrators
shall, in accordance with existing laws, regulations and policies of the
Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, be accorded sufficient
administrative discretion necessary for the efficient and effective
performance of their functions.
School administrators shall be deemed persons in authority while in the
discharge of lawful duties and responsibilities, and shall therefore be
accorded due respect and protection.
Section 13. Rights of Schools - In addition to other rights provided for by
law, schools shall enjoy the following:
1. The right of their governing boards or lawful authorities to provide
for the proper governance of the school and to adopt and enforce
administrative or management systems.
2. The right for institutions of higher learning to determine on
academic grounds who shall be admitted to study, who may teach, and
what shall be subjects of the study and research.
CHAPTER 3
Duties and Obligations
Section 14. Duties of Parents. - In addition to those provided for under
existing laws, all parents shall have the following duties and obligations:
1. Parents, individually or collectively, through the school systems,
shall help carry out the educational objectives in accordance with
national goals.
2. Parents shall be obliged to enable their children to obtain
elementary education and shall strive to enable them to obtain
secondary and higher education in the pursuance of the right
formation of the youth.

3. Parents shall cooperate with the school in the implementation of the

school program curricular and co-curricular.
Section 15. Duties and Responsibilities of Students - In addition to those
provided for under existing laws, every student shall:
1. Exert his utmost to develop his potentialities for service, particularly
by undergoing an education suited to his abilities, in order that he may
become an asset to his family and to society.
2. Uphold the academic integrity of the school, endeavor to achieve
academic excellence and abide by the rules and regulations governing
his academic responsibilities and moral integrity.
3. Promote and maintain the peace and tranquility of the school by
observing the rules and discipline, and by exerting efforts to attain
harmonious relationships with fellow students, the teaching and
academic staff and other school personnel.

4. Participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of the

general welfare, particularly in the social, economic and cultural
development of his community and in the attainment of a just,
compassionate and orderly society.
5. Exercise his rights responsibly in the knowledge that he is
answerable for any infringement or violation of the public welfare and
of the rights of others.
Section 16. Teacher's Obligations - Every teacher shall:
1. Perform his duties to the school by discharging his responsibilities in
accordance with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school.
2. Be accountable for the efficient and effective attainment of specified
learning objectives in pursuance of national development goals within
the limits of available school resources.
3. Render regular reports on performance of each student and to the
latter and the latter's parents and guardians with specific suggestions
for improvement.
4. Assume the responsibility to maintain and sustain his professional
growth and advancement and maintain professionalism in his behavior
at all times.
5. Refrain from making deductions in students' scholastic rating for
acts that are clearly not manifestations of poor scholarship.
6. Participate as an agent of constructive social, economic, moral,
intellectual, cultural and political change in his school and the
community within the context of national policies.
Section 17. School Administrators' Obligations - Every school administrator
shall:
1. Perform his duties to the school by discharging his responsibilities in
accordance with the philosophy, goals and objectives of the school.

2. Be accountable for the efficient and effective administration and

management of the school.
3. Develop and maintain a healthy school atmosphere conducive to the
promotion and preservation of academic freedom and effective
teaching and learning, and to harmonious and progressive schoolpersonnel relationship.
4. Assume and maintain professional behavior in his work and in
dealing with students, teachers, academic non-teaching personnel,
administrative staff, and parents or guardians.
5. Render adequate reports to teachers, academic non-teaching
personnel and non-academic staff on their actual performance in
relation to their expected performance and counsel them on ways of
improving the same.
6. Observe due process, fairness, promptness, privacy,
constructiveness and consistency in disciplining his teachers and other
personnel.
7. Maintain adequate records and submit required reports to the
Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

Section 18. Obligations of Academic Non-Teaching Personnel - Academic

non-teaching personnel shall:
1. Improve himself professionally be keeping abreast of the latest
trends and techniques in his profession.
2. Assume, promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to service
and learning.
3. Promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to service and
learning.
III. THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 1
Formal Education
Section 19. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that formal
education, or the school system, in society's primary learning system, and
therefore the main instrument for the achievement of the country's
educational goals and objectives.
Section 20. Definition - "Formal Educational" refers to the hierarchically
structured and chronologically graded learning organized and provided by
the formal school system and for which certification is required in order for
the learner to progress through the grades or move to higher levels. Formal
education shall correspond to the following levels:
1. Elementary Education. - the first stage of compulsory, formal
education primarily concerned with providing basic education and

usually corresponding to six or seven grades, including pre-school

programs.
2. Secondary Education. - the state of formal education following the
elementary level concerned primarily with continuing basic education
and expanding it to include the learning of employable gainful skills,
usually corresponding to four years of high school.
3. Tertiary Education. - post secondary schooling is higher education
leading to a degree in a specific profession or discipline.
Section 21. Objectives of Elementary Education - The objectives of
elementary education are:
1. To provide the knowledge and develop the skills, attitudes, and
values essential to personal development and necessary for living in
and contributing to a developing and changing social milieu;
2. To provide learning experiences which increase the child's
awareness of and responsiveness to the changes in and just demands
of society and to prepare him for constructive and effective
involvement;
3. To promote and intensify the child's knowledge of, identification
with, and love for the nation and the people to which he belongs; and
4. To promote work experiences which develop the child's orientation
to the world of work and creativity and prepare himself to engage in
honest and gainful work.

Section 22. Objectives of Secondary Education. - The objectives of

secondary education are:
1. To continue to promote the objectives of elementary education; and
2. To discover and enhance the different aptitudes and interests of the
students so as to equip him with skills for productive endeavor and/or
prepare him for tertiary schooling.
Section 23. Objective of Tertiary Education. - The objectives of tertiary
education are:
1. To provide a general education program that will promote national
identity, cultural consciousness, moral integrity and spiritual vigor;
2. To train the nation's manpower in the skills required for national
development;
3. To develop the professions that will provide leadership for the
nation; and

4. To advance knowledge through research work and apply new

knowledge for improving the quality of human life and responding
effectively to changing societal needs and conditions.
CHAPTER 2
Non-Education and Specialized Educational Services
Section 24. Specialized Educational Service - The State further recognizes
its responsibility to provide, within the context of the formal education
system, services to meet special needs of certain clientele. These specific
types, which shall be guided by the basic policies of the State embodied in
the General Provisions of this Act, include:
1. "Work Education," or "Practical Arts," as a program of basic
education which aims to develop the right attitudes towards work; and
"technical-vocational education," post-secondary but non-degree
programs leading to one, two, or three year certificates in preparation
for a group of middle-level occupations.
2. "Special Education," the education of persons who are physically,
mentally, emotionally, socially, or culturally different from the so-called
"normal" individuals that they require modification of school
practices/services to develop them to their maximum capacity; and
3. "Non-formal Education," any organized school-based educational
activities undertaken by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports
and other agencies aimed at attaining specific learning objectives for a
particular clientele, especially the illiterates and the out-of-school
youth and adults, distinct from and outside the regular offerings of the
formal school system.
The objectives of non-formal education are as follows:
a. To eradicate illiteracy and raise the level of functional literacy
of the population;
b. To provide unemployed and underemployed youth and adults
with appropriate vocational/technical skills to enable them to
become more productive and effective citizens; and
c. To develop among the clientele of non-formal education proper
values and attitudes necessary for personal, community and
national development.

CHAPTER 3
Establishment of Schools
Section 25. Establishment of Schools - All schools shall be established in
accordance with law. The establishment of new national schools and the
conversion of existing schools from elementary to national secondary or
tertiary schools shall be by law: Provided, That any private school proposed
to be established must incorporate as an non-stock educational corporation
in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
This requirement to incorporate may be waived in the case of familyadministered pre-school institutions.

Government assistance to such schools for educational programs shall be

used exclusively for that purpose.
Section 26. Definition of Terms - The terms used in this Chapter are defined
as follows:
1. "Schools" are duly established institutions of learning or educational
institutions.
2. "Public Schools" are educational institutions established and
administered by the government.
3. "Private Schools" are educational institutions maintained and
administered by private individuals or groups.
Section 27. Recognition of Schools - The educational operations of schools
shall be subject to their prior authorization of the government, and shall be
affected by recognition. In the case of government operated schools,
whether local, regional, or national, recognition of educational programs
and/or operations shall be deemed granted simultaneously with
establishment.
In all other case the rules and regulations governing recognition shall be
prescribed and enforced by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports
defining therein who are qualified to apply, providing for a permit system,
stating the conditions for the grant of recognition and for its cancellation and
withdrawal, and providing for related matters.
Section 28. Efects of Recognition; Punishable Violations - The issuance of a
certificate of recognition to a school shall have the following effects:
1. It transforms the temporary permit to a permanent authority to
operate;
2. It entitled the school or college to give the students who have
completed the course for which recognition is granted, a certificate,
title or diploma; and
3. It shall entitle the students who have graduated from said
recognized course or courses to all the benefits and privileges enjoyed
by graduates in similar courses of studies in all schools recognized by
the government.
Operation of schools and educational programs without authorization, and/or
operation thereof in violation of the terms of recognition, are hereby declared
punishable violations subject to the penalties provided in this Act.
Section 29. Voluntary Accreditation - The Ministry shall encourage programs
of voluntary accreditation for institution which desire to meet standards of
quality over and above minimum required for State recognition.

CHAPTER 4
Internal Organization of Schools

Section 30. Organization of Schools - Each school shall establish such

internal organization as will best enable it to carry out its academic and
administrative functions, subject to limitations provided by law.
Each school establishes such arrangements for the peaceful settlement of
disputes between or among the members of the educational community.
Section 31. Governing Board - Every government college or university as a
tertiary institution and every private school shall have a governing board
pursuant to its charter or the Corporation Code of the Philippines, as the case
may be.
Section 32. Personnel Transactions - The terms and conditions of
employment of personnel in government schools shall be governed by the
Civil Service, budgetary and compensation laws and rules.
In private schools, dispute arising from employer-employee relations shall fall
under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor and Employment as provided
for by law regulations: Provided, That in view of the special employment
status of the teaching and academic non-teaching personnel, and their
special roles in the advancement of knowledge, standards set or
promulgated jointly by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and by
the Ministry of Labor and Employment shall be applied by the Ministry of
Labor and Employment: Provided, further, That every private school shall
establish and implement an appropriate system within the school for the
prompt and orderly settlement of provisions of Articles 262 and 263 of the
Labor Code.
CHAPTER 5
School Finance and Assistance
Section 33. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared to be the policy of
the State that the national government shall contribute to the financial
support of educational programs pursuant to goals of education as declared
in the Constitution. Towards this end, the government shall:
1. Adopt measures to broaden access to education through financial
assistance and other forms of incentives to schools, teachers, pupils
and students; and
2. Encourage and stimulate private support to education through, inter
alia, fiscal and other assistance measures.
A. FUNDING OF REPUBLIC SCHOOLS
Section 34. National Funds - Public school shall continue to be funded from
national funds: Provided, That local governments shall be encouraged to
assume operation of local public schools on the basis of national fund
participation and adequate revenue sources which may be assigned by the
national government for the purpose.
Section 35. Financial Aid Assistance to Public Secondary Schools - The
national government shall extend financial aid and assistance to public
secondary schools established and maintained by local governments,
including barangay high schools.
Section 36. Share of Local Government - Provinces, cities and municipalities
and barangays shall appropriate funds in their annual budgets for the
operation and maintenance of public secondary schools on the basis of
national fund participation.

Section 37. Special Education Fund - The proceeds of the Special Education
Fund accruing to local governments shall be used exclusively for the
purposes enumerated in Section 1 of Republic Act No. 5447, and in
accordance with rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports and the Ministry of the Budget. Said proceeds shall be
considered a local fund and shall be subject to Presidential Decrees No. 477,
Presidential Decree No. 1375 and other applicable local budget laws and
regulations.
Section 38. Tuition and other School Fees - Secondary and post-secondary
schools may charge tuition and other school fees, in order to improve
facilities or to accommodate more students.
Section 39. Income from other Sources - Government-supported
educational institution may receive grants, legacies, donations and gifts for
purposes allowed by existing laws.
Furthermore, income generated from production activities and from auxiliary
enterprises may be retained and used for schools concerned in accordance
with rules and regulations jointly issued consistently with pertinent
appropriation and budgetary laws by the Ministry of the Budget, the Ministry
of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Audit.
B. FUNDING OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Section 40. Funding of Private Schools - Private schools may be funded from
their capital investment or equity contributions, tuition fees and other school
charges, grants, loans, subsidies, passive investment income and income
from other sources.
Section 41. Government Assistance - The government, in recognition of
their complementary role in the educational system, may provide aid to the
programs of private schools in the form of grants or scholarships, or loans
from government financial institutions: Provided, That such programs meet
certain defined educational requirements and standards and contribute to
the attainment of national development goals.
Section 42. Tuition and Other Fees - Each private school shall determine its
rate of tuition and other school fees or charges. The rates and charges
adopted by schools pursuant to this provision shall be collectible, and their
application or use authorized, subject to rules and regulations promulgated
by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
Section 43. Income from Other Sources - Any private school duly recognized
by the government, may receive any grant and legacy, donation, gift,
bequest or devise from any individual, institution, corporation, foundation,
trust of philanthropic organization, or research institution or organization as
may be authorized by law.
Furthermore, private schools are authorized to engage in any auxiliary
enterprise to generate income primarily to finance their educational
operations and/or to reduce the need to increase students' fees.
Section 44. Institutional Funds - The proceeds from tuition fees and other
school charges, as well as other income of schools, shall be treated as
institutional funds. Schools may pool their institutional funds, in whole or in

part, under joint management for the purpose of generating additional

financial resources.
C. INCENTIVES TO EDUCATION
Section 45. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State in the pursuit
of its national education development goals to provide an incentive program
to encourage the participation of the community in the development of the
educational sector.

Section 46. Relating to School Property - Real property, such as lands,

buildings and other improvements thereon used actually, directly and
exclusively for educational purposes shall be subject to the real property tax
based on an assessment of fifteen per cent of the market value of such
property: Provided, That all the proceeds from the payment thereof shall
accrue to a special private education fund which shall be managed and
disbursed by a local private school board which shall be constituted in each
municipality or chartered city with private educational institutions with the
mayor or his representative as chairman and not more than two
representatives of the institutional taxpayers, and, likewise, not more than
two residents of the municipality or chartered city who are alumni of any of
the institutional taxpayers as members: Provided, further, That fifty percent
of the additional one percent tax on real estate property provided for under
Republic Act 5447, shall accrue to the special private education fund:
Provided, finally, That in municipalities or chartered cities wherein the
number of private institutions with individual enrollment of pupils and
students over five thousand exceeds fifteen, the members of the private
school board shall be increased to not more than fourteen members
determined proportionately by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports.
The private school board shall adopt its own rules which shall enable it to
finance the annual programs and projects of each institutional taxpayer for
the following purposes; student-pupil scholarships; improvement of
instructional, including laboratory, facilities and/or equipment; library books
and periodicals acquisition; and extension service in the community, in that
order of priority.
Section 47. Relating to Gifts or Donations to Schools - All gifts or donation in
favor of any school, college or university recognized by the Government shall
not be subject to tax; Provided, That such gifts or donations shall be for
improvement of classrooms and laboratory of library facilities, and shall not
inure to the benefit of any officer, director, official, or owner or owners of the
school, or paid out as salary, adjustments or allowance of any form or nature
whatsoever, except in support of faculty and/or professorial chairs.
Section 48. Relating to Earnings from Established Scholarship Funds - All
earnings from the investment of any duly established scholarship fund of any
school recognized by the government, constituted from gifts to the school,
and/or from contributions or other resources assigned to said fund by the
school, if said earnings are actually used to fund additional scholarship
grants to financially deserving students shall be exempt from tax until the
scholarship fund is fully liquidated, when the outstanding balance thereof
shall be subject to tax.
Section 49. School Dispersal Program - All gains realized from the sale,
disposition or transfer of property, real or personal, of any duly established
private school, college or university, in pursuance of a school dispersal
program of the government or of the educational institution as approved by

the government, shall be considered exempt from tax if the total proceeds of
the sale are reinvested in a new or existing duly established school, college,
or university located in the dispersal site, within one (1) year from the date
of such sale, transfer or disposition; otherwise, all taxes due on the gains
realized from the transaction shall immediately become due and payable.
Section 50. Conversion to Educational Foundations - An educational
institution may convert itself into a non-stock, non-profit educational
foundation, in accordance with the implementing rules to be issued jointly by
the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Finance.
In the case of stock corporations, if for any reason its corporate existence as
an educational institution ceases and is not renewed, all its net assets after
liquidation of the liabilities and other obligations may be conveyed and
transferred to any non-profit educational institution or successor non-profit
educational institution or to be used in such manner as in the judgment of
said court will best accomplish the general purposes for which the dissolved
organization was organized, or to the State.

D. ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS
Section 51. Government Assistance to Students - The government shall
provide financial assistance to financially disadvantaged and deserving
students. Such assistance may be in the form of State scholarships, grantsin-aid, assistance from the Educational Loan Fund, or subsidized tuition rates
in State colleges and universities.
All the above and similar assistance programs shall provide for reserve
quotas for financially needed but academically qualified students from the
national cultural communities.
Section 52. Grant of Scholarship Pursuant to Existing Laws - Educational
institutions shall be encouraged to grant scholarships to students pursuant to
the provisions of existing laws and such scholarship measures as may
hereafter be provided for by law.
Section 53. Assistance from the Private Sector - The private sector,
especially educational institutions, business and industry, shall be
encouraged to grant financial assistance to students, especially those
undertaking research in the fields of science and technology or in such
projects as may be necessary within the context of national development.
IV. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 54. Declaration of Policy - The administration of the education
system and, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the supervision
and regulation of educational institutions are hereby vested in the Ministry of
Education, Culture and Sports, without prejudice to the provisions of the
charter of any state college and university.
Section 55. Organization - The Ministry shall be headed by the Minister of
Education, Culture and Sports who shall be assisted by one or more Deputy
Ministers.

The organization of the Ministry shall consist of (a) the Ministry Proper
composed of the immediate Office of the Minister, and the Services of the
Ministry, (b) the Board of Higher Education, which is hereby established, (c)
the Bureau of Elementary Education, the Bureau of Secondary Education, the
Bureau of Higher Education, the Bureau of Technical and Vocational
Education, and the Bureau of Continuing Education, which are hereby
established, (d) Regional offices and field offices, (e) the National Scholarship
Center and such other agencies as are now or may be established pursuant
to law, and (f) the cultural agencies, namely: the National Library, the
National Historical Institute, the National Museum, and the Institute of
National Language. Such of the above offices as are created or authorized to
be established under this provision, shall be organized and staffed and shall
function, subject to the approval of the President, upon recommendation of
the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports in consultation with the
Presidential Commission on Reorganization.
Section 56. The National Board of Education is hereby abolished, and its
appropriations, personnel, records, and equipment are hereby transferred to
the Office of the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports.
Section 57. Functions and Powers of the Ministry - The Ministry shall:
1. Formulate general education objectives and policies, and adopt longrange educational plans;

2. Plan, develop and implement programs and projects in education

and culture;
3. Promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration,
supervision and regulation of the educational system in accordance
with declared policy;
4. Set up general objectives for the school system;
5. Coordinate the activities and functions of the school system and the
various cultural agencies under it;
6. Coordinate and work with agencies concerned with the educational
and cultural development of the national cultural communities; and
7. Recommend and study legislation proposed for adoption.
Section 58. Report to the Batasang Pambansa. - The Minister of Education,
Culture and Sports shall make an annual report to the Batasang Pambansa
on the implementation of the national basic education plan, the current
condition of the education programs, the adequacy or deficiency of the
appropriations and status of expenditures, the impact of education on the
different regions, the growth of enrollment, the adequacy of academic
facilities, the concentration of low income groups, or the supply of teaching
and non-teaching personnel, with such comments and appropriate
recommendations thirty (30) days before the opening of its regular session.
CHAPTER 2
BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Section 59. Declaration of Policy - Higher education will be granted towards

the provision of better quality education, the development of middle and
high-level manpower, and the intensification of research and extension
services. The main thrust of higher education is to achieve equity, efficiency,
and high quality in the institutions of higher learning both public and private,
so that together they will provide a complete set of program offerings that
meet both national and regional development needs.
Section 60. Organization of the Board of Higher Education - The Board of
Higher Education is reconstituted as an advisory body to the Minister of
Education, Culture and Sports. The Board shall be composed of a Deputy
Minister of Education, Culture and Sports designated as Chairman and four
other members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon
nomination by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports for a term of four
years. The four members shall have distinguished themselves in the field of
higher education and development either in the public or private sector. In
the initial appointment of the non-ex officio members, the first appointee
shall serve for a term of four years; the second for a term of three years; the
third for a term of two years; and the fourth for a term of one year. The
Director of the Bureau of Higher Education shall participate in the
deliberation of the Board but without the right to vote. The Bureau of Higher
Education shall provide the Board with the necessary technical and staff
support: Provided, That the Board may create technical panels of experts in
the various disciplines as the need arises.
Section 61. Function of the Board of Higher Education. - The Board shall:
1. Make policy recommendations regarding the planning and
management of the integrated system of higher education and the
continuing evaluation thereof.
2. Recommend to the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports steps
to improve the governance of the various components of the higher
education system at national and regional levels.

3. Assist the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports in making

recommendation relatives to the generation of resources and their
allocation for higher education.
CHAPTER 3
THE BUREAUS
Section 62. Bureau of Elementary Education - The Bureau shall perform the
following functions:
1. Conduct studies and formulate, develop, and evaluate programs and
educational standards for elementary education;
2. Undertake studies necessary for the preparation of prototype
curricular designs, instructional materials, and teacher training
programs for elementary education; and
3. Formulate guidelines to improve elementary school physical plants
and equipment, and general management of these schools.
Section 63. Bureau of Secondary Education - The Bureau shall perform the
following functions:

1. Conduct studies and formulate, develop and evaluate programs and

educational standards for secondary education;
2. Develop curricular designs, prepare instructional materials, and
prepare and evaluate programs to update the quality of the teaching
and non-teaching staff at the secondary level;
3. Formulate guidelines to improve the secondary school physical
plants and equipment, and general management of these schools.
Section 64. Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education. - The Bureau
shall perform the following:
1. Collaborate with other agencies in the formulation of manpower
plans;
2. Conduct studies, formulate, develop and evaluate post-secondary
vocational-technical programs and recommend educational standards
for these programs;
3. Develop curricular designs and prepare instructional materials,
prepare and evaluate programs to upgrade the quality of teaching and
non-teaching staff, and formulate guidelines to improve the physical
plant and equipment of post-secondary vocational-technical schools.
Section 65. Bureau of Higher Education - The Bureau of higher Education
shall perform the following functions:
1. Develop, formulate and evaluate programs, projects and educational
standards for a higher education;
2. Provide staff assistance to the Board of Higher Education in its policy
formulation and advisory functions;
3. Provide technical assistance to encourage institutional development
programs and projects;

4. Compile, analyze and evaluate data on higher education; and

5. Perform other functions provided for by law.
Section 66. Bureau of Continuing Education - As the main implementing
arm of the non-formal education programs of the Ministry, the Bureau shall
provide learning programs or activities that shall:
1. Serve as a means of meeting the learning needs of those unable to
avail themselves of the educational services and programs of formal
education;
2. Provide opportunities for the acquisition of skills necessary to
enhance and ensure continuing employability, efficiency, productivity,
and competitiveness in the labor market;
3. Serve as a means for expanding access to educational opportunities
to citizens of varied interests, demographic characteristics and socioeconomic origins or status.

CHAPTER 4
REGIONAL OFFICES
Section 67. Functions - A regional office shall:
1. Formulate the regional plan of education based on the national plan
of the Ministry taking into account the specific needs and special
traditions of the region;
2. Implement education laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and
regulations of the Ministry or agency in the regional area;
3. Provide economical, efficient and effective education services to the
people in the area.
V. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1
PENAL ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS
Section 68. Penalty Clause - Any person upon conviction for an act in
violation of Section 28, Chapter 3, Title III above, shall be punished with a
fine of not less than two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) nor more than ten
thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment for a maximum period of two
(2) years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
If the act is committed by a school corporation, the school head together
with the person or persons responsible for the offense or violation shall be
equally liable.
Section 69. Administrative Sanction - The Minister of Education, Culture and
Sports may prescribe and impose such administrative sanction as he may
deem reasonable and appropriate in the implementing rules and regulations
promulgated pursuant to this Act for any of the following causes:
1. Mismanagement of school operations;
2. Gross inefficiency of the teaching or non-teaching personnel;
3. Fraud or deceit committed in connection with the application for
Ministry permit or recognition;

4. Failure to comply with conditions or obligations prescribed by this

Code or its implementing rules and regulations; and
5. Unauthorized operation of a school or course, or any component
thereof, or any violation of the requirement governing advertisements
or announcements of educational institutions.
Sanctions against the schools shall be without prejudice to the interest of the
students, teachers and employees.
CHAPTER 2
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 70. Rule-making Authority - The Minister Education, Culture and

Sports charged with the administration and enforcement of this Act, shall
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations.
Section 71. Separability Provision - any part or provision of this Act which
may hold invalid or unconstitutional shall not affect its remaining parts of
provisions.
Section 72. 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.
Section 73. Efectivity - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, September 11, 1982.