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

SECTION 1. Official Recognition . The British School Manila, herein referred to as the "School", operated by the British Education, Inc., is hereby declared and officially recognized as a British international education institution authorized to operate educational programs that primarily and principally adhere to universally accepted and recognized education policies.

SEC. 2. Governing Body. - The School shall be governed by a Council of Trustees, herein after referred to as the "Council", elected in accordance with its corporate charter.

SEC. 3. Grant of Prerogatives. - To enable the School to continue carrying out its educational program, improve its standard of instruction and meet the needs of the foreign diplomatic and temporary resident community for quality education, it shall:

(a) Accept applicants for admission, regardless of nationality, in accordance with its own eligibility standards and rules for admission and grade placement, the School having been established primarily for foreign diplomatic personnel and their dependents and for other temporary residents, and such the School is covered by the exemptions provided in Section 4(2), Article XIV of the Constitution of the Philippines;

(b) Be managed and administered by the Head of School, who shall posses the qualifications prescribed by the Council;

(c) Upon consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), determine its own curriculum, calendar of studies and work schedule, teach whatever language or languages it may deem proper, and determine the amount of fees and assessments which may be reasonably imposed upon its students to maintain and conform to the School's standard of education;

(d) Maintain standards of education compatible with those obtaining in similar schools of generaly recognized international standing;

(e) Employ its own teaching and management personnel selected by the Council either locally or abroad, from the Philippines or other nationalities, such foreign personnel being exempt from laws and regulations that impose nationality restrictions on employment, and control the administration of educational institutions, except laws that have been or will be enacted for the protection of employees: Provided, That such extension shall not be extended to their liability for income taxes; and

(f) Benefit from privileges under the law to nonstock, nonprofit educational institutions.

Sec. 4. Supervision and Regulation of the Department of Education . — Notwithstanding the recognition and prerogatives under this Act, the British School Manila shall be under the supervision and regulation of the DepEd and shall adhere to basic laws, and rules and regulations of the DepEd governing international or foreign schools.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations . - The DepEd Secretary shall issue such rules as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause . - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this Act is subsequently declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

 

           

(SGD.) VICENTE C. SOTTO III             President of the Senate

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO             Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act was passed by the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 8249 on November 20, 2018 and adopted by the Senate as an amendment to Senate Bill No. 1527 on November 28, 2018.

           

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA             Secretary of the Senate

(SGD.) DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING             Acting Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: FEB 14 2019

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
    President of the Philippines