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

SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the " GMRC and Value Education Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies.- The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. The State also recognizes the fundamental role of all educational institutions in the inculcation of patriotism and nationalism, fostering of love of humanity, respect of human rights, appreciation of the role of modern-day and national heroes in the historical development of the country, teaching the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthening ethical and spiritual values, developing moral character and personal discipline, encouraging critical and creative thinking, broadening scientific and technological knowledge, and promoting vocational efficiency.

Towards these ends, the State shall include in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. The State shall also give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act:

(a) Human Dignity refers to the unique and inherent value or worth of human persons. It is intrinsic, hence, innate, inviolable, inalienable, and universal.

(b) Values Education  refers to:

(1) The process that provides young people internalization of values which aims at student's grasp of underlying principles, together with the ability to act on those principles, and the settled disposition to do so;

(2) Different pedagogies, methods or programs that teachers and/or educators use to create learning experiences for students when it comes to valuing processes, value positions, and value judgment; and

(3) Learning about self and wisdom of life in a self-exploratory, systematic, and scientific way.

(c) Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) refers to certain and particular universally accepted basic social values and etiquette and/or proper modes of behavior that convey respect to those whom one interacts with.

(d) Character Building Activities shall mean actual and authentic learning activities wherein the character of the learners is formed, shaped, and/or built-up.

SEC. 4. Institutionalization of Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education in the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.- Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education shall replace the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao curriculum and be institutionalized as follows:

(a) GMRC shall be taught from Grades 1 to 6 as a separate subject with the same time allotment as the other core subjects, and shall be integrated in the daily learning activities in the kindergarten level. The Department of Education (DepEd) shall introduce GMRC through clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character building activities, such as role playing in the classroom, community immersion activities, teacher-parent collaborative learning activities, school-initiated values formation activities, simulated activities, and other forms of experential learning. GMRC shall inculcate among the students the concepts of human dignity, respect for oneself, and giving oneself to others in the spirit of community, for the effective and holistic development of the decision-making skills of the child. The curriculum shall also focus on the basic tenets of GMRC, such as caring for one self, giving concern for others, according proper respect to people, upholding discipline and order, cultivating sincerity, honesty, obedience, and above all, love for country.

(b) Values Education shall be taught from Grades 7 to 10 as a separate subject with the same time allotment as the other core subjects. The subject shall also be delivered using clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character building activities as prescribed in the immediately preceding subparagraph. At these grade levels, GMRC shall remain integrated in the teaching of Values Education.

(c) Values Education shall be integrated in the teaching of the subjects in Grades 11 and 12 under K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.

SEC. 5. Coverage of Values Education.- It is hereby mandated that Values Education shall be an integral and essential part of the Deped's K to 12 Basic education Curriculum. Values Education as herein provided shall encompass universal human, ethical, and moral values, among others. It shall inculcate among our students the basic tenets of the observance of respect for oneself, others, and our elders, intercultural diversity, gender equity, ecology and integrity of creation, peace and justice, obedience to the law, nationalism and global citizenship, as well as the values of patience, perseverance, industry, honesty and integrity, and good faith in dealing with other human beings along with all other universal values.

SEC. 6. Teaching Qualification and Capacity Building for Teachers.-Teachers with diploma, certification, and/or training in the field of Values Education or other allied disciplines shall be given preference in the teaching of this core subject.

The DepEd shall carry out the appropriate training for teachers and educators on GMRC and Values Education, as well as provide them with adequate and relevant instructional materials, in order to develop and enhance their capacity to teach the subject.

SEC. 7. Whole School Approach.- For the effective institutionalization and teaching of GMRC and Values Education as a core subject, a whole school approach shall be adopted. This shall facilitate collaborative action in and by the school community and other stakeholders to foster parental involvement and develop home and school partnerships for an inclusive values education framework.

SEC. 8. Annual Review and Assessment.- The DepEd shall conduct an annual review of the institutionalization of GMRC and Values Education in the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum to ensure its proper implementation and assess student learning outcomes for the purpose of determining its efficacy.

The report shall be submitted to the Committees on Basic Education of both houses of Congress within thirty (30) days from the termination of the period of review and assessment.

SEC. 9. Implementing Agency.- The DepEd shall be the lead agency in implementing the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations.- The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continuous implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations.-Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause.- If any part or provision of this Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, rules, executive orders, and other administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, superseded or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. 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.) ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO         Speaker of the House of Representatives

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

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1224 and House Bill No. 5829 was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on March 4, 2020.

 

(SGD.) JOSE LUIS G. MONTALES         Secretary General House of Representatives

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

Approved: JUN 25 2020

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
  President of the Philippines