Republic Act No. 8438/Article X

by Congress of the Philippines

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Article—X

Education, Science and Technology,
Language, Arts and Culture and Sports

Section 1. The regional government shall, consistent with the Constitution and national laws, exercise legislative powers over regional educational policies and cultural matters which shall, among other things, include:

(a) The authority to establish educational institutions, colleges and universities: Provided, That regional colleges and universities created by the autonomous region shall enjoy fiscal and administrative autonomy subject to regional laws;

(b) Promulgate regional educational policies which shall, among other things, include the establishment of educational institutions, colleges and universities; development of curricula relevant to the cultural heritage and responsive to the social, economic, political, and moral needs of the people in the region.

Sec. 2. Private educational institutions, colleges and universities shall enjoy the protection and support of the regional government.

Sec. 3. The regional government shall establish a scholarship program for gifted or deserving students.

Sec. 4. The right of teachers, employees, students and parents to organize themselves and to participate in school policy-making shall be guaranteed.

Sec. 5. The level of compensation and other benefits for teachers, nonteaching and other personnel of the educational system in the region shall at least be equal to the national standard.

Sec. 6. Educational system in the autonomous region shall develop consciousness and appreciation of the ethnic identity of the people of the region and shall provide a better understanding of their cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and harmony.

Sec. 7. State colleges and universities within the autonomous region shall continue to enjoy fiscal and institutional autonomy and continue to be governed by their respective charters. However, the regional official in charge of tertiary education shall be a member of the governing boards of state colleges and universities in the autonomous region.

Sec. 8. The University of the Philippines-Baguio shall continue to remain with the University of the Philippines System.

Sec. 9. The advancement of scientific research and appropriate technology on all levels of education shall be given priority in the allocation of funds by the regional government.

Sec. 10. Incentives and safeguards for intellectual property right, and assistance in the registration of patents and copyrights shall be accorded to creative artists, scientists and inventors in the region.

Sec. 11. The regional government shall take steps towards the development of a common regional language based upon the various languages and dialects in the region to enrich the national language.

Sec. 12. The regional government shall design and implement regionwide physical fitness and sports development programs which shall be a cooperative responsibility of the school, the community, and the government.