Public Schools and State Universities and Colleges Modernization

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -6 P2:11 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1038 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT TO MODERNIZE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Education remains the most powerful tool for uplifting lives, reducing inequality, and building a progressive nation. Yet, despite the growing demands of a knowledge- based global economy, many of our public schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs) continue to operate under outdated systems, obsolete equipment, and deteriorating infrastructure. These limitations not only compromise the quality of education but also hinder the development of the creative and intellectual potential of Filipino students. The proposed bill seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive modernization program for all public educational institutions in the country. This includes upgrading facilities, integrating digital and information technology, and providing better tools for instruction and research. The goal is to ensure that Filipino students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and environment necessary to thrive in the 21st century. Originally authored and filed by Senator Grace Poe in the 19th Congress, this bill emphasizes the role of education in cultivating creativity, innovation, and critical

thinking among our youth-skills that are essential in both the cultural and academic spheres. By investing in modern and inclusive educational environments, the bill not only empowers students to reach their full potential but also strengthens the foundations of a culturally rich, technologically capable, and globally competitive Philippines. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Offur at i TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) AUG -6 P2:11 SENATE RECEIVED 9Y S. No. 1038 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT TO MODERNIZE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Schools and

State Universities and Colleges Modernization Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall 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. As such, the State embraces the role of information and communications technology In Improving the learning process and shall strive to mainstream its provision and use in all public schools and state universities and 8 colleges.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

a) Committee refers to the Coordinating Committee established under this Act; b) Information and Communications Technology or ICT refers to the totality of electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive, transmit, present and disseminate information; c) Modernization Program refers to the Public School and SUC Modernization Program created under this Act;

d) Public Schools refer to all public elementary and secondary schools in the country; and e) SUC refers to all State Universities and Colleges in the country.

Sec. 4. Public School and SUC Modernization Program. - There is hereby

created a "Public School and State University and College Modernization Program", hereafter referred to as "the Program". The Program shall have the following 7 objectives: a) To provide up to date ICT hardware and software to all public schools and state universities; b) To ensure that the provision of ICT hardware and software is cost effective; c) To mainstream the use of ICT as a tool in the delivery of basic and higher education; d) To set standards for the introduction, utilization and maintenance of ICT in public schools and state universities and colleges; e) To ensure that public school teachers are adequately trained in using ICT in the learning process; f) To ensure that students of public schools and state universities and colleges are aware of and capable of using ICT.

Sec. 5. Computerization Program. - At least one computer laboratory with a

minimum of ten (10) computers shall be established in all public schools and SUCs nationwide. The software need for the operation of this system shall be open source and shall be developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The DICT shall also ensure that all hardware procured under this 24 Act are well-maintained.

Sec. 6. One Teacher One Laptop. - Each teacher shall be provided with one (1)

laptop which shall have access to the central server of each school. Teachers using their laptops shall be encouraged to use the available educational software and to develop and share their own educational modules.

Sec. 7. Educational Software. - The concerned members of the Committee shall

develop educational software for the use of students and teachers alike. The DICT shall ensure that all educational software shall is open source.

Sec. 8. Upgrading of Libraries. - A well-equipped library shall be established in

2 every public elementary and secondary high school. It shall contain at least 5 computers which shall be connected to the central server in each school.

Sec. 9. Multimedia Classroom. - Each public school and SUC shall be provided

5 with a multimedia classroom package composed of one (1) interactive whiteboard and 6 one (1) LCD projector and screen.

Sec. 10. School Education Program. - within one (1) year from the effectivity

of this Act, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education 9 (CHED) and Department of Energy (DOE) shall conduct a comprehensive inventory of public schools and SUCs which do not have access to electricity. Thereafter, the DOE shall ensure that all public schools and SUCs have access to electricity: Provided, That public schools and SUCs which are far from the transmission grid shall be included under the missionary electrification program of the National Power Corporation as established under Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001".

Sec. 11. Internet Connectivity. - The DepEd, CHED and DICT, in coordination

17 with private Internet providers, shall ensure that all public schools and SUCs shall be connected to the internet. In cities and municipalities in which there is no access to internet services, the DICT shall explore and provide alternative means of internet connectivity.

Sec. 12. Donations. - Private investment in this program shall be encouraged.

However, all public schools and SUCs shall coordinate with the Committee before accepting any donations of hardware or software to ensure their compatibility with those installed under this Act.

Sec. 13. Training Program. - The DepEd and CHED shall develop a training

program for teachers in public schools and SUCs to ensure their capacity to utilize ICT in the learning process.

Sec. 14. Coordinating Committee. - A coordinating committee to implement the

provisions of this Act shall be established. It shall be composed of the following: a) The DepEd Secretary or his permanent representative; b) The CHED Chairperson or his permanent representative; c) The DICT Secretary or his permanent representative;

d) The DOE Secretary or his permanent representative; and e) The DBM Secretary or his permanent representative. The Committee shall be attached, for administrative and budgetary purposes, to the DICT. The Council shall meet at least once (1) every quarter. The presence of at least three (3) members shall constitute a quorum to business. The Secretary of the DICT or his permanent representative shall be the permanent chairperson of the 7 Committee.

Sec. 15. Powers and Functions. - The Committee shall have the following

powers and functions: a) Formulate and regularly update the twenty (20) year Public School and SUC Modernization Plan for the implementation of this Act; b) Coordinate, monitor and ensure timely implementation of the Public School and SUC Modernization Plan; c) Submit quarterly and annual reports to Congress and the Office of the President.

Sec. 16. Public School and SUC Modernization Plan. - The committee shall

formulate the twenty (20) year Public School and SUC Modernization Plan. The Plan shall include the following: a) The standards for all hardware and software to be procured and maintained; and b) The operational plans and budgetary requirements of the member agencies in implementing the Act over the twenty (20) year period.

Sec. 17. Integration of Existing PPAs. - the implementation of existing

computerization and internet connectivity programs of the DepEd and the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT and other relevant programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) shall be integrated in the Public School and SUC Modernization Plan.

Sec. 18. Program Roll Out and Phasing. - The program shall be implemented

over a span of twenty (20) years. The first six (6) years of this program shall be dedicated to the implementation of this program among State Universities and Colleges. The next six (6) years shall be dedicated to the implementation of this program in all public secondary schools. The final eight (8) years shall be dedicated

1 to the implementation of this program in all public elementary schools. After such 2 period, the Committee shall be functus officio unless extended by Congress through a Joint Resolution. The DICT shall assume the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of all PPAS 5 previously under the Committee and ensure the full and continuing implementation of 6 this Act. All concerned government agencies shall extend their cooperation and 7 support to effectively transfer the functions of Committee and wind-down its affairs, which shall include, among others, the proper inventory and transfer of its assets, 9 equipment, and relevant documents, and the termination or return to the mother units of the Committee officers and personnel. The DICT shall be authorized to call on the agencies formerly part of the Committee as well as any other government agency, including government owned or controlled corporations, and government financial institutions, for assistance as they may deem necessary to ensure the timely and cost-effective implementation of the priority projects.

Sec. 19. Exemption from Republic Act No. 7880. - The implementation of this

Act shall be exempted from the provisions of Republic Act 7880, otherwise known as the "Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act".

Sec. 20. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to implement this Act shall be

charged against the individual appropriations of the member agencies under the annual General Appropriations Act and shall be sourced from the following: a) The funds allocated for the DepEd Computerization Program and DepEd's Internet Connectivity Project; b) The funds allocated to the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT; c) The equivalent of twenty percent (20%) of the annual gross earnings of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); d) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) annual share on the total gross collections of the travel tax; and e) The equivalent of ten percent (10%) of the sales of the lotto operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices

The appropriations for the implementation of this Act shall be indicated as a separate line-item under the annual budget of the DICT.

Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The members of the

4 Committee shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 22. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

7 unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and

regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 24. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,