[ DECS ORDER NO. 44, S. 1999, April 28, 1999 ]

CREATING A TASK FORCE FOR AN EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION ACT OF 1982 (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 232) SPECIFICALLY ON THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOLS MUST OPERATE WITH GOVERNMENT PERMIT



  1. Section 1 of Rule III of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 states that pursuant to the Constitution, "All educational institutions shall be under the supervision of and subject to regulation by the state". Consequently, no school or educational institution shall be established, nor operate any educational program, whether formal or non-formal, except by law or pursuant to law and in accordance with these Rules.

  2. With the aforecited law, it is expected that no public school shall be established except by law. The establishment of new private school including that of branch school or extension class shall be subject to the prior approval of the DECS pursuant to Act No. 2706, as amended, the Education Act of 1982, and other education-related or applicable law.

  3. In view of the proliferation of private schools without government permit and in order to effectively implement Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 on the establishment and operation of private schools, a committee/task force at the DECS Central Office, regional office and division office, respectively are hereby constituted, as follows:

    1. DECS Central Office
    Undersecretary for Programs, Projects and Regional Operations, Chairman Representative, BSE, Member Representative, BEE, Member Representative, Legal Division/or Legal Consultant, Consultant
       
    2. DECS Regional Office:
    Regional Director, Chairman Chief, Secondary Education Division, Member Chief, Elementary Education Division, Member In-Charge for Tuition Fees, Member Legal Officer, Consultant
       
    3. DECS Division Office:
    Division Schools Superintendent, Chairman Assistant Schools Superintendent, Member Supervisor of Private Schools, Member Legal Officer, Consultant

  4. The above constituted Regional and Division Committees shall monitor and submit a list of the names and locations of private elementary and secondary schools operating with permit and recognition to the DECS Central Office Committee not later than May 30, 1999 to be published in order to protect the interest of the general public.

  5. The abovementioned Committees are enjoined to take the necessary legal steps against the erring private school owners. They are furthermore advised to take the lead role in forestalling the illegal establishments and operation of schools.

  6. For strict compliance.
Adopted: 28 April 1999

(SGD.) NILO L. ROSAS
Undersecretary Officer-In-Charge