Article XIV
Education, Science and Technology, Arts, and Sports
Section 1. Quality Education, A Top Priority.—The Regional Government shall establish, maintain, and support as a top priority a complete and integrated system of quality education and adopt an educational framework that is meaningful, relevant, and responsive to the needs, ideals, and aspirations of the people in the region.
The schools, colleges, and universities existing in the autonomous region as of the date of the approval of this Organic Act and such other schools and institutions that may be established in the region shall be deemed integral components of the educational system of the Regional Government.
The educational system of the Regional Government shall be deemed a subsystem of the national educational system. The regional educational subsystem shall enjoy fiscal autonomy and academic freedom.
Educational Policies
Sec. 2. Policies and Principles.—Consistent with the basic state policy on education, the Regional Government shall adopt the following educational policies and principles:
a) Perpetuation of Filipino and Islamic Values.—The regional educational subsystem shall perpetuate Filipino and Islamic values and ideals, aspirations, and orientations. It shall develop the total spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, scientific, and physical aspects of the people of the autonomous region to make them god-fearing, productive, patriotic citizens, and conscious of their Filipino and Islamic values and cultural heritage.
(b) Inculcation of values of peaceful settlement of disputes.—The regional educational subsystem shall prioritize the inculcation among the citizenry and students of their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and grievances and the avoidance of the use of lawless violence.
To this end, emphasis shall be placed on the desirability and practicality of relying upon democratic and legal processes rather than on the use of guns or resort to violence to settle personal, familial, or tribal problems. The Regional Assembly may, by law, establish a program for the surrender of firearms with payment of compensation provided by the Regional Government. The program may also be supported from the funds of the Philippine National Police.
(c) Optional religious instruction.—Religious instruction, in public schools shall be optional, with the written consent of the parent or guardian, and taught by the authorities of the religion to which the student belongs. The teaching of religion shall not involve additional costs to the government in accordance with national policies;
(d) Inculcation of patriotism and nationalism.—To develop, promote, and enhance unity in diversity, all schools in the autonomous region shall inculcate into the minds of their students the values of patriotism and nationalism, appreciation of the role of national and regional heroes in the historical development of the country and region, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, and teach the rights and duties of citizenship, and the cultures of the Muslims; Christians; and tribal peoples in the region;
(e) Vocational and special education.—The thrusts, programs, and administration of vocational, non-formal, and special education shall be supported and made relevant to the manpower needs of the region;
(f) Scholarships, student loans and scholarships.—A system of scholarship programs, grants, student loans, subsidies, and other incentives shall be made available to all poor but deserving students;
(g) Funding for local education programs.—Funding for local educational programs shall be the responsibility of the Regional Government;
(h) Community participation in education.—The active participation of the home, community, religious organizations, and other sectors in the total educative process of the child shall be encouraged and supported;
(i) Development of regional language.—A regional language may be evolved and developed from the different dialects in the region;
(j) Media of Instruction in schools.—Filipino and English shall be the media of instruction in all schools in the autonomous region. Arabic shall be an auxiliary medium of instruction;
(k) Teaching of Arabic as Subject.—Arabic shall be taught as a subject in all grade levels as required for Muslims under existing laws and optional, for non-Muslims;
(l) Auxiliary Official languages.—Regional languages may be used as auxiliary official languages in the region as well as auxiliary media of instruction and communication;
(m) Develop ethnic identity.—Education in the autonomous region shall develop consciousness and appreciation of one's ethnic identity and shall provide a better understanding of another person's cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and harmony;
(n) The Regional Government shall recognize the participation of private institutions of learning, including the Madaris (Arabic schools), in providing quality education to the people of the region; and
(o) (1) Basic education structure.—The elementary level shall follow the basic national structure and shall provide basic education, the secondary level will correspond to four (4) years of high schools, and the tertiary level shall be one year to three (3) years for non-degree courses and four (4) to eight (8) years for degree courses, as the case may be, in accordance with existing laws.
(2) Social studies subjects contents.—Filipino and Islamic values shall be incorporated in the social studies subjects or their equivalent in appropriate grade levels and subject to agreed norms, academic freedom, and legal limitations. These values shall be taught also as a part of appropriate subjects in the secondary and tertiary levels of education.
(3) Textbook preparation, writing, revision and printing.—The preparation, writing, revision, and printing of textbooks for the use of the schools in the autonomous region shall be the joint responsibility of the Regional Government and the central government or national government. Subject to agreed norms, academic freedom, and relevant legal limits, the preparation, writing, revision, and printing of the textbooks shall emphasize Filipino and Islamic values. The said values shall include those of Muslims, Christians, and indigenous peoples, human rights, modern sciences and technology, as well as, the latest advances in education that are relevant to the ideals of the autonomous region and to the Republic.
(4) Accreditation for transfer to other schools.—After they shall have passed the core curriculum prescribed by the central government or national government, the students and graduates of the education system of the autonomous region shall be fully accredited for transfer to the corresponding grade levels in the schools outside the autonomous region.
(5) Period for integration of Islamic values.—The integration of Islamic values in the curriculum of the regional educational subsystem shall be done over a period of six (6) years from the approval of this Organic Act after appropriate researches and studies shall have been conducted, evaluated, and approved by the regional education authorities.
(6) Primary responsibility for learning aids and instructional materials.—The Regional Government shall have the primary responsibility to provide learning aids and instructional materials to the schools in the autonomous region in addition to those already prescribed by the central government or national government.
(7) Responsibility for selection, recruitment, appointment; promotion; and civil service protection of teachers and non-teaching personnel.—(a) The selection, recruitment, appointment, and promotion of teaching and non-teaching personnel of the regional educational subsystem shall be the responsibility of the Regional Government. The teaching and non-teaching personnel of the regional educational subsystem who have appropriate civil service eligibility may not be replaced, removed, or dismissed without just cause.
(b) The Regional Government may impose its regionally-defined standards for the employment of teaching and non-teaching personnel in its school system which, however, shall not be lower than the standards of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
(c) In the selection, recruitment, appointment, and promotion of elementary, secondary, and tertiary education teaching and non-teaching personnel, the minimum requirements and standards prescribed by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall be observed by the regional educational subsystem.
(8) Preservation of culture, mores, customs, and traditions.—The culture, mores, customs, and traditions of the Muslims people are those of the Christians and indigenous people, shall be preserved, respected; enhanced; and developed.
(9) Schools to preserve, enhance, and develop cultures, mores, customs, and traditions.—The regular public and Madaris schools in the autonomous region shall be the primary vehicles for the preservation, enhancement, and development of the said cultures, mores, customs, and traditions.
Sec. 3. Regional Educational Curricula.—The Regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall develop curricula that are relevant to the economic, social, political, cultural, moral, and spiritual needs of the people in the autonomous region.
Sec. 4. Education, Management, and Control of Education.—The management, control, and supervision of the regional educational subsystem shall be the primary concern of the Regional Government.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other appropriate educational bodies of the central government or national government shall monitor compliance by the regional educational subsystem with national educational policies, standards, and regulations. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Regional Government shall participate in policy and decision-making activities of their counterparts of the central government or national government in matters that affect the regional educational subsystem.
Educational Structure
Sec. 5. The Regional Assembly may, by law, create, support, and maintain a regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and shall define its powers, functions and composition.
Sec. 6. Private Schools Supervision.—(a) The Regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of private schools.
(b) Private schools, including sectarian and non-sectarian institutions of learning of whatever level, may organize themselves and shall have the right to participate and be represented by three (3) representatives in the deliberations of the Regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports on matters dealing with private schools.
(c) The representatives of the private schools to the Regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall act for the sectarian Christian schools, non-sectarian schools, and the schools of the lumads, if any.
(d) The right of sectarian educational institutions to propagate their religious beliefs shall be not be curtailed. The regional educational subsystem shall not discriminate against the sectarian educational institutions in any manner or form.
Sec. 7. Educational Subsystem Structure.—The organizational structure of the regional educational subsystem shall follow the basic structure of the educational system of the central government or national government. The Regional Assembly may, however, create its own structures. It shall prescribe the same curricular years as those prescribed nationally.
Sec. 8. Academic Freedom and Fiscal Autonomy.—State colleges and universities shall be part of the regional educational subsystem within the autonomous region and shall enjoy academic freedom and fiscal autonomy and shall continue to be governed by their respective charters. The provisions of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the Regional Government shall be represented in the board of state universities and colleges in the region by the Chair of the Committee on Education, Culture and Sports of the Regional Assembly either as co-chair or co-vice chair.
Sec. 9. Education Centers.—All state colleges and universities in the autonomous region shall serve as regional centers for tertiary and post graduate education in their respective areas of competence.
Sec. 10. Tribal University System.—The Regional Assembly create a tribal university system within the autonomous region to address the higher educational needs of the indigenous cultural communities in the region.
Madrasah Education
Sec. 11. Supervision of Madaris Schools.—Accredited madaris in the autonomous region shall be supervised by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports in accordance with the principles of the Constitution and this Organic Act. The educational policies should also take into consideration the teaching of the Koran that an educational system should inculcate respect by individuals for duly constituted authority. A periodic review and supervision of the 'Madaris' educational system shall be conducted by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and a monthly report shall be submitted by the Department to Congress through the Senate President, the Speaker and the Chairs of respective education committees of both Houses of Congress or the corresponding committees of the Regional Assembly of the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, if there are such committees in the said Assembly.
Sec. 12. Madrasah Educational System; Arabic as Medium of Instruction.—The Regional Assembly shall enact legislation for the strengthening and development of the Madrasah Educational System in the autonomous region.
Arabic is hereby recognized as a medium of instruction in madaris (schools) and other Islamic institution.
Sec. 13. Madaris.—Existing Madaris and madaris ulya are deemed parts of the regional educational subsystem.
Sec. 14. Madaris Teachers Qualifying Examinations; Compensation.—The Regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall, in coordination with the Regional Commission on Higher Education, conduct periodic competitive qualifying examinations of madaris teachers for permanent appointments to the regional educational subsystem.
The compensation of Madaris teachers employed in the public schools of the autonomous region shall be taken from the funds of the Regional Government.
Science and Technology
Sec. 15. Science and Technology.—Science and Technology are recognized as essential to national and regional progress and development.
Sec. 16. Priority Legislation.—The Regional Assembly shall enact laws that shall:
(a) Give priority to science, research, inventions, technology, education, and their development and utilization;
(b) Provide incentives, including tax deduction and funding assistance, and encourage the participation of the private sector in basic and applied scientific researches;
(c) Regulate the transfer and promote the adoption of technology from all sources for regional benefits;
(d) Secure and protect the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, scholars, writers, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual properties; and
(e) Ensure the full and effective participation of all sectors in the planning, programming, coordination, and implementation of scientific and technological researches and the acquisition, adoption, innovation, and application of science and technology for development.
Sec. 17. Environmental Changes.—The regional educational subsystem shall endeavor to respond positively and effectively to the climatic changes affecting the environment. It shall monitor and evaluate ecological developments affecting the region and develop appropriate plans to meet ecological situations. To this end, it may establish linkages with appropriate domestic and international institutions.
Sec. 18. Non-Formal Education.—The Regional Department Of Education, Culture And Sports shall institutionalize non-formal education in scope and methodology, to include literacy, numeracy, and intensive skills training of the youth and adults.
Scholarship Grants and Assistance
Sec. 19. Donations to Universities, Colleges and Schools.—Public or private universities, colleges, and schools in the autonomous region may seek and receive local or foreign donations for educational purposes. Donors to public or private universities, colleges, and schools may deduct the amount of the donation from their taxable income due to the Regional Government.
Sec. 20. Scholarship Programs.—The Regional Government shall provide scholarships to qualified poor but deserving students in all levels of education. To this end, the Regional Government shall devote, at least, fifteen percent (15%) of its regular budget for education to support scholarships and shall endeavor to augment the funds for scholarships from other sources of revenue, public or private.
The Regional Government shall administer the scholarship programs of the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority scholarship programs, both local and foreign within the region. The administrative and other details of this transfer of authority to administer the scholarship programs shall be done within six (6) months from the approval of this Organic Act.
Sec. 21. Financial Assistance for Disadvantaged, Deserving Students.—The Regional Government shall provide financial assistance to disadvantaged but deserving students from any funds including those provided by the central government or national government for that purpose.
Funds for Education
Sec. 22. Release of Education Funds.—Educational funds for the Regional Government allocated by the central government or national government in the General Appropriations Act shall be released directly to the treasurer of the Regional Government.
Physical Education and Sports Development
Sec. 23. Physical Education and Sports Development.—The regional educational subsystem shall develop and maintain an integrated and comprehensive physical education program. It shall develop healthy, disciplined, creative, innovative, and productive individuals, and promote the spirit of sportsmanship, cooperation, teamwork, goodwill, and understanding
Sec. 24. Sports Programs.—The regional educational subsystem shall encourage and support sports programs, league competitions, indigenous games, martial arts, and amateur sports, including training for regional, national, and international competitions.
{{c|Cultural Heritage
Sec. 25. Cultural Heritage.—The cultural heritage of the people of the autonomous region shall be an integral component of regional development.
Sec. 26. Protection and Promotion of Culture.—The Regional Government shall recognize, respect, protect, preserve, revive, develop, promote, and enhance the culture, customs, traditions, beliefs, and practices of the people of the autonomous region. It shall encourage and undertake the recovery, collection, collation, and restoration of historical and cultural properties for posterity.
Sec. 27. Bureau of Cultural Heritage.—The Regional Assembly may, by law, create a bureau on cultural heritage. The Bureau shall plan, initiate, implement, and monitor cultural programs, projects, and activities that preserve and enhance the positive elements of the indigenous culture of the inhabitants of the autonomous region. It shall coordinate with other concerned agencies engaged in similar and related activities.
This work is in the public domain because it is a work of the Philippine government (see Republic Act No. 8293 Sec. 176).
All official Philippine texts of a legislative, administrative, or judicial nature, or any official translation thereof, are ineligible for copyright.
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