Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014

April 13, 2015

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ISKOLAR NG BAYAN ACT OF 2014 PROGRAM

Pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10648, "An Act Providing Scholarship Grants to Top Graduates of all Public High Schools in State Universities and Colleges and Appropriating Funds Therefor", otherwise known as the "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014", enacted on November 27, 2014, and which took effect on AY 2015-2016, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd), hereby jointly issue the following rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the Act.

RULE I

General Provisions

SECTION 1. Title. — These rules and regulations shall be referred to as the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014" (Republic Act No. 10648).

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality and accessible education at all levels and to establish and maintain a financial assistance system that shall be available to deserving students, especially the underprivileged.

For this purpose, the government shall democratize access to higher education by institutionalizing a college scholarship program to be named the "Iskolar ng Bayan Program" for top graduates of public high schools in the country, subject to the academic standards, application and admission policies and such other reasonable rules and regulations of state universities and colleges (SUCs).

SECTION 3. Coverage. — The provision of this IRR shall primarily apply to top ten (10) graduates of all public high schools, based on the guidelines and criteria set by the Department of Education (DepEd), who will enrol in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) as freshmen, provided, that they meet the admission requirements of the SUCs where they intend to enrol in. CAIHTE

The public high school with more than five hundred (500) graduates shall be entitled to one (1) additional scholarship slot for every additional five hundred (500) graduates. The additional slots shall be given to graduates whose ranks immediately follow the top ten (10) students and who will enrol in SUCs after meeting the admission requirements for freshmen.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this IRR, the following terms shall mean or be understood as follows:

(a) Act refers to Republic Act No. 10648 entitled "An Act providing scholarship grants to top graduates of all public high schools in State Universities and Colleges and Appropriating Funds Therefor", otherwise known as "Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014."

(b) Freshman refers to a student enrolling for the first time in the SUC and who has no credited previous college work.

(c) Iskolar ng Bayan refers to the beneficiary of the Program who belongs to the top ten (10) graduates of public high schools as determined by DepEd and duly enrolled in SUCs as freshman students.

(d) Public high school refers to all public secondary schools which are government-funded and operated by the DepEd and all other government agencies and instrumentalities.

(e) Rank refers to the relative position and/or classification of a student in the batch of graduates of a public high school based on his scholastic, extra-curricular and other related achievements as determined by the DepEd.

(f) State Universities and Colleges refer to higher education institutions with independent and separate governing boards established by national laws which constitute their individual charters, financed and maintained by the national government.

(g) Top ten (10) refers to the uppermost performing public high school graduates, ranked and determined by the DepEd.

(h) Tuition and other school fees (TOSF) refer to the fees imposed by the Governing Boards to all students in the SUC.

RULE II

Iskolar ng Bayan Program

SECTION 1. Iskolar ng Bayan Program. — Refers to a college scholarship program as provided by the Act, intended to support the first year college education of the top ten (10) graduates of public high schools based on the guidelines and criteria set by DepEd, subject to the academic standards, application and admission policies and such other reasonable rules and regulations of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

Availment of the benefits of this Program will not prevent the Iskolar from receiving other publicly- and privately-funded student financial assistance schemes subject to the internal rules on scholarships, grants, and other financial assistance of the SUC.

SECTION 2. Admission in SUCs. — Any public high school student who belongs to the top ten (10) bracket of the graduating class shall be entitled to the scholarship grant provided under this Act in any SUC of choice upon compliance with the following conditions:

(a) The student must be a Filipino citizen; DETACa

(b) The student has graduated from any public high school in the country within two (2) years prior to the academic year being applied for in the SUC;

(c) The student has complied with the application requirements of the SUC;

(d) The student's rank is reported by the public high school principal or administrator in a certificate bearing the name of the school and its location, the number of students, the rank of the student applicant in the graduating class, and other relevant information;

(e) After taking the entrance examination in the chosen SUC, the student has obtained a rating which has been designated by the SUC as the minimum rating for a student to be able to qualify for the scholarship program; and

(f) The student has complied with the application requirements of their SUC of choice pursuant to Section 1, Rule V Affirmative Action.

SECTION 3. Limitations of the Program. —

(a) The scholarship provided under this Program shall be limited to the full amount of TOSF, as defined in this IRR, for the first year college only. However, in cases where the SUC has an existing socialized tuition program and other similar schemes, the Iskolar ng Bayan recipient shall be assessed using the lowest rates of TOSF.

(b) The SUC may limit the number of students to be admitted under this Program if the number of applicants eligible and applying for admission exceeds by more than five percent (5%) the average number of first-time freshmen admitted to the SUCs during the first two (2) academic years preceding the entry of the applicant.

SECTION 4. Option to Admit Iskolar ng Bayan. —

In case the SUC decides to exceed the number of students to be admitted in this Program, they may advise qualified Iskolar ng Bayan, as follows:

(a) The students may enrol only in CHED priority and SUC non-quota courses, and

(b) The students may enrol only in CHED recognized external campuses of the SUC, provided that the SUC shall ensure their welfare and convenience.

The SUC should ensure that adequate dormitories or acceptable alternative lodging places, laboratories, and other necessary facilities are available.

SECTION 5. Post-Scholarship Program. —

After the first year of implementation, the Iskolar ng Bayan (student beneficiary) shall be covered by the regular student financial assistance, scholarship programs of the CHED and the various socialized TOSF systems of SUCs, if qualified, subject to the guidelines that the CHED and the SUC may provide, as the case may be.

The Iskolar ng Bayan may also apply for such other pertinent publicly/privately-funded modalities administered by the SUC.

RULE III

Support to the Program

SECTION 1. Duties and Responsibilities. — Pursuant to Section 6 of the Act, the government agencies shall perform the duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:

1.1 Department of Education (DepEd)

(a) Disseminate information to all public high schools on the implementation of the Program and the availability of scholarship slots;

(b) Conduct a census of the number of graduating public high school students per school for submission to the CHED;

(c) Identify and submit to CHED the certified list of top ten (10) graduates in each public high school, as well as the additional top graduates in case the public high school has more than five hundred (500) graduates and ensure the timely submission of the list of top ten (10) graduates by the DepEd to the CHED Regional Office.

(d) Provide timely reminders about the Program to all public high schools towards the second half of the school year in order to give the prospective top graduates ample preparation time to apply for the Program; and

(e) In coordination with the appropriate stakeholders, conduct every three years (3) review and evaluation of the guidelines and criteria in the selection of top ten (10) students in all public high schools.

1.2 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)

(a) Orient faculty, administrative officials and staff and parents about the Program;

(b) Inform both the CHED Central and Regional Offices of their capacity to absorb the students applying in the Program;

(c) Accept qualified top ten (10) students for enrolment as Iskolar ng Bayan subject to the conditions referred to Section 2, Rule II of this IRR;

(d) Submit to CHED the list of Iskolar ng Bayan including the amount of TOSF duly certified by the SUC President or his/her authorized representative, for funding purposes within the appropriate period using the format prescribed by CHED;

(e) For the AY 2015-2016 implementation of this Program, the CHED and SUC shall execute Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the transfer of funds;

(f) Report annually to CHED on or before the date set by the Commission; and

(g) Ensure that full assistance is granted to the Iskolar ng Bayan to enable them to avail of the Program by developing a complete support system, including but not limited to the appointment of adviser/s. Such adviser/s shall perform the following roles:

(g.1) Provide assistance and guidance to the Iskolar ng Bayan in the determination of the appropriate course which will best suit their aspirations and strengths and

 

(g.2) Provide referral assistance with respect to psychological, social, and other welfare needs of the Iskolar ng Bayan.

1.3 Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

A. Central Office

(a) Conduct a review of the top ten (10) of graduating public high school students in each province to ensure that the SUCs therein have the capacity to absorb the Iskolars ng Bayan;

(b) Process and request fund transfer for the payment of TOSF of beneficiaries under the program;

(c) Monitor the implementation of the Program together with DepEd and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC);

(d) The CHED and the concerned SUCs shall establish the appropriate guidelines in the acceptance of top ten (10) public high school graduates; and aDSIHc

(e) Together with the SUCs, develop a system, including the appointment of advisers, which shall provide assistance and guidance to the Iskolar ng Bayan in the determination of the appropriate course and the SUC which will best suit their aspirations and strengths.

B. CHED-Regional Offices (CHEDROs)

(a) Process payment of financial benefits to the SUCs under the Program;

(b) Assist the SUCs in giving orientation/briefing to Iskolars ng Bayan as regards the policies, standards and guidelines of the Program; and

(c) Monitor the SUCs on the implementation of the Program.

1.4 Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

(a) Shall include the amount necessary to carry out the Program in the Annual General Appropriations Act; and

(b) Release funds to CHED or SUCs for the Program.

(b.1) For Academic Year 2015-2016, the funds necessary to carry out the Program shall be sourced from CHED funds to be approved by the Department of Budget and Management and implemented by the CHED.

(b.2) Release the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) based on the submitted Monthly Disbursement Program (MDP).

1.5 Local Government Units (LGUs)

 LGUs are encouraged to create their own scholarship program.

1.6 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

 The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraged to submit an annual report to the SUCs in their respective province or region containing projections on employment opportunities and job openings.

1.7 Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)

 PHEIs are encouraged to create their own version of the program.

1.8 Private Corporations

 Private corporations are encouraged to support the Program under their corporate social responsibility projects.

RULE IV

Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 1. Reportorial Requirements. —

1.1 SUC. Each SUC shall report annually to the CHED on or before a date set by the Commission. The report shall include the number of students admitted under the Program, the courses they are enrolled in, their academic standing and other relevant information that will help improve the Program.

1.2 CHED. The CHED shall consolidate and analyse reports of the implementing SUC and shall provide Congress a copy of the unified report on the results of performance monitoring and impact assessment.

SECTION 2. Performance Monitoring and Impact Assessment. — The Program shall be evaluated rigorously by the CHED in terms of its impact on desired results and its progress towards achieving them shall be monitored regularly. The CHED shall clearly define those results and their target values. Impact evaluation shall be measured against, among others:

(a) Education outcomes such as enrolment in all SUCs and number of graduates;

(b) Economic indicators such as income and employment; and

(c) Indicators for contributions to community service and public good.

Performance and progress shall, in addition, be measured with regard to:

(a) number of students covered by the Program;

(b) quality of SUCs enrolled in; and

(c) economic status upon enrolment.

Tracer studies and survey data for experimental and quasi-experimental analyses shall be undertaken to produce credible impact evaluation studies, as may be determined by the CHED: Provided, That the Program is to be evaluated every five (5) years from the date of its implementation.

SECTION 3. Guidelines on the Selection of Top Ten (10) Students. —

Pursuant to Section 3 of the Act and to support the implementation of the Basic Education Curriculum, the DepEd shall issue the necessary guidelines, criteria and procedures in the selection of top ten (10) students graduating in all public high schools thirty (30) days after the effectivity of the IRR.

In the case of non-DepEd public high schools their governing bodies or officials may use their existing guidelines on the selection of top ten (10) students.

RULE V

Transitory Provision

SECTION 1. Affirmative Action. — Pursuant to Section 4 of the Act, for the next six (6) years, beginning AY 2015-2016, admission to their SUCs of choice within the region shall be automatic for the top ten (10) graduating students of public high schools.

A prospective Iskolar ng Bayan who decides to enrol in the SUC in another region, shall be subject to the applicable provisions of Section 2, RULE II hereof.

SECTION 2. Transfer, Management, and Monitoring of Funds. — For the AY 2015-2016 implementation of this Program, the CHED and SUC shall execute Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the transfer, management, and monitoring of funds.

SECTION 3. Use of Existing Guidelines on the Selection of Top Ten (10) Students. — For the AY 2014-2015, all public high schools under DepEd shall use the existing guidelines and criteria of DepEd on the selection and ranking of top ten (10) students of the entire graduating class regardless of curricular programs; provided that in the succeeding school years, the provisions of Section 3 of Rule IV shall apply.

RULE VI

Final Provisions

SECTION 1. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of the CHED or the concerned SUCs in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). ETHIDa

However, for Academic Year 2015-2016, the funds necessary to carry out the Program shall be sourced from CHED funds. In the subsequent years, the requirement shall be included in the budget of SUCs under the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. — Should any provision or any part of this IRR be subsequently declared unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions.

SECTION 3. Amendment. — Any proposed amendment to these rules and regulations shall be jointly promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — Pursuant to Section 13 of the Act, CHED, DepEd and SUC issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are not consistent with the provisions of this IRR are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

This IRR shall be registered with the Office of National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

DONE this 13th day of April 2015.

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANANChairperson

(SGD.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSCSecretary

Published in The Official Gazette, Vol. III, No. 27 page 3811-3816 on July 6, 2015.