Education is a basic human right that teaches an individual values and lifelong learning skills to be a productive member of the city. It also boosts one’s confidence and empowers people to be independent, knowing they have sufficient knowledge and skills to succeed. That’s why the Philippine government enacted the Republic Act 10533, or the Enhance Basic Education Act of 2013, to ensure learners receive quality education equal to the international standard.
The Republic Act 10533 is a program that addresses the problems and inadequacy of the country’s basic education system, ensuring all children receive education, regardless of their circumstances. Through this act, all learners from public and private educational institutions shall receive education considering their physical, intellectual, psychosocial, and cultural needs. It also encourages teachers to continue professional development and further enhance the quality of education.
What is Republic Act 10533 in the Philippines?
On May 15, 2013, the Philippine Congress enacted the Republic Act 10533, entitled “An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by Strengthening Its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.” Also known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013,” the policy took effect on June 8, 2013, seeking to organize, preserve, and aid a complete, sufficient, and integrated education system pertinent to the necessities of the country, its people, and the whole society.
The policy proclaims that every graduate of basic education should be independently empowered and proficient by receiving a program embedded in the concept of educational principles, excellence, and lifelong learning. Furthermore, the program should be rooted in competence, productivity, harmony, sovereignty, innovation, critical thinking, and transformation. To implement the policy, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also issued its rules and regulations.
Objectives
With the implementation of the Republic Act 10533 or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, the government aims to achieve the following:
- Establish a functional basic education system to develop responsible and productive citizens with vital knowledge, abilities, and values for employment and life-long learning.
- Provide each student a chance to obtain a quality and globally competitive education with a pedagogically sound curriculum parallel with international standards.
- Expands the purpose and objectives of high school education to prepare them for college, vocation, or technical career opportunities, including sports, creative arts, and entrepreneurial occupation, allowing them to thrive in a progressively internationalized and rapidly changing environment
- Ensure learner-oriented education and respond to their necessities, cultural and cognitive aptness, occurrences, and diversity of learners, schools, and communities via relevant teaching and learning languages, including learning resources in the mother tongue.
Coverage
First and foremost, the provisions of this policy apply to all basic educational institutions and learning centers, both public and private. Additionally, the implementing rules and regulations of this policy apply to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs), Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), and foundations.
Implementing Rules & Regulations General Provisions
A. Basic Education
The policy aims to meet basic educational needs to strengthen the foundation of learning, including kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education. It also covers alternative learning systems for those with special needs and out-of-school learners.
B. Enhanced Basic Education Program
The enhanced basic education program covers at least one (1) year of kindergarten education, six (6) years of elementary education, and six (6) years of secondary education, which includes four (4) years of junior high school and two (2) years of senior high school education or via an alternative learning system.
C. Compulsory Basic Education
Every parent, guardian, or other individual who has custody of a child must enroll them in basic education until its completion, regardless of their learning delivery modes and systems as mandated by prevailing laws, rules, and regulations.
D. Inclusiveness of Enhanced Basic Education
Aside from that, the act promotes the inclusiveness of enhanced basic education, implementing programs that aim to address the physical, intellectual, psychosocial, and cultural needs of learners, including but not limited to the following:
- Programs for the Gifted and Talented
- Programs for Learners with Disabilities
- Madrasah Program
- Indigenous Peoples (IP) Education Program
- Programs for Learners under Difficult Circumstances
E. Acceleration
DepEd allows the acceleration of learners in public and private basic educational institutions based on their rules and regulations.
Curriculum
To strengthen the basic education curriculum, DepEd will formulate its details, design, standards, principles, production, and development of materials. In addition, learners should understand the medium of teaching and learning utilized for basic education.
Teacher Qualifications, Training, and Continuing Professional Development
DepEd, CHED, and TESDA will also provide the following to enhance the basic education program:
- In-service Training on Content and Pedagogy
- Training of New Teachers
- Training of School Leadership
- Training of Alternative Learning System (ALS) Coordinators, Instructional Managers, Mobile Teachers, and Learning Facilitators
Meanwhile, DepEd and private educational institutions may hire other teachers required for a specific subject, such as graduates of music, science, engineering, mathematics, and other degree or technical-vocational courses and practitioners.
Private Educational Institutions
The policy allows all educational institutions to practice reasonable supervision and regulation. DepEd will provide the guidelines for permit issuance and revocation or recognition of senior high schools. Specilizations may also delivered in private senior high school institutions.
Career Guidance and Counseling Advocacy
Under the Republic Act 10533, DepEd should coordinate with relevant stakeholders to provide students with career guidance, activities, and counseling programs to equip them with essential values and life skills. DepEd should also fulfill its role in integrating career concepts into the curriculum, conducting career assessments, and regular career advocacy activities.
Full PDF Download File Document
If you want to learn more about the Republic Act 10533 and its implementing rules and regulations, you can download the full PDF file from the Official Gazette of the Philippines. We have provided this document file for you to refer by downloading this link – Republic Act No. 10533 full PDF File Document Download
Alternatively, we have uploaded the images of the full document on our website for easier access. below:
This document contains a detailed breakdown of the policies, objectives, and provisions of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, along with its amendments. It also includes the complete guidelines for educational institutions, teachers, and learners to follow for effective implementation of the law.
Video: R.A. 10533-Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Part 1: Sections 1-6) | K-12 curriculum
For more details on the Republic Act 10533, please watch the video below:
As stated in the video, the late President Benigno Aquino III signed into law the Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The enactment of this law also caused disapproval among many people, especially parents. Nonetheless, its implementation is essential since the former education system was problematic and has many flaws that need addressing. This law is vital as it aims to enhance and bolster the basic education system in the Philippines by strengthening and ensuring its curriculum is quality and globally competitive. Hence, this policy is essential for Filipino citizens and the nation’s development.
Summary
Despite the contradictions of its provisions, the passing of the Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, has benefited all basic education graduates, equipping them with sufficient and essential skills and competence, allowing them to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment. The policy also ensures every student will receive a globally competitive quality education. Therefore, the Republic Act 10533 is vitally important for the nation and its people.