Republic Act No. 6734/Article XV

by Congress of the Philippines

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Article XV

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS AND SPORTS

Section 1. The Autonomous Region shall establish, maintain and support 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.

Educational Policies

Sec. 2. Consistent with the basic State policy on education, the Autonomous Region shall adopt the following educational policies and principles:

(1) Education in the Autonomous Region shall be committed to the total spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, scientific and physical development of man, thus making him a God-fearing, peace-loving, and work-oriented citizen of the nation;

(2) All schools in the Autonomous Region shall inculcate 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 shall teach the rights and duties of citizenship, and the cultures of the Muslims, Christians, and tribal peoples in the Region to develop, promote and enhance unity in diversity;

(3) 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;

(4) A system of scholarship programs, grants, student loans, subsidies and other incentives shall be made available to all poor but deserving students;

(5) 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;

(6) (a) A regional language may be evolved and developed from the different dialects in the Region.

(b) Filipino and English shall be the media of instruction in all schools in the Region. Major languages of the Region shall be auxiliary media of instruction.

(c) The Arabic language shall be a compulsory subject for Muslims and optional for non-Muslims in all schools in the Region;

(7) The education in the Autonomous Region shall de- and shall provide a better understanding of each other's velop consciousness and appreciation of one's ethnic identity cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and harmony;

(8) 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

(9) Unless otherwise provided by regional law, the Regional Government may implement a four-year primary and a three-year intermediate education; a 2-2 secondary education; and a four-year or more college education in schools within the Region.

Sec. 3. The regional educational system shall develop curricula that are relevant to the economic, social, political, cultural, moral and spiritual needs of the people in the Region.

Educational Structure

Sec. 4. The Regional Assembly may, by law, create, support and maintain a Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and shall define its powers, functions and composition.

Sec. 5. State colleges and universities within the Autonomous Region shall enjoy academic freedom and fiscal autonomy and shall continue to be governed by their respective charters: Provided, That the regional Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports shall be a member of the governing boards of state colleges and universities in the Autonomous Region.

Sec. 6. All state colleges and universities in the Autonomous Region shall assist and support the full development of the people and shall serve as regional centers for tertiary and postgraduate education in their respective areas of competence.

Sec. 7. The Regional Assembly may establish a tribal state university system within the Autonomous Region.

Madrasah Education

Sec. 8. Accredited madaris in the Autonomous Region shall be supervised by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

Sec. 9. Appropriate regional laws shall be enacted for the strengthening and development of the madrasah educational system in the Autonomous Region.

Science and Technology

Sec. 10. Science and technology are recognized as essential to national and regional progress and development.

Sec. 11. The Regional Assembly shall enact laws that shall:

(1) Give priority to science, research, inventions, technology, education, and their development and utilization;

(2) Provide incentives, including tax deductions and funding assistance, and encourage private participation in basic and applied scientific researches;

(3) Regulate the transfer and promote the adoption of technology from all sources for regional benefit;

(4) Secure and protect the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, scholars, writers, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual properties; and

(5) Introduce 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.

Physical Education and Sports Development

Sec. 12. The educational system shall develop and maintain an integrated and comprehensive physical education program. It shall develop healthy, disciplined, creative, innovative, productive individuals, and promote the spirit of sportsmanship, cooperation, teamwork, goodwill and understanding.

Sec. 13. The system shall encourage and support sports programs, league competitions, indigenous games, martial arts and amateur sports, including training for regional, national and international competitions.

Cultural Heritage

Sec. 14. The cultural heritage of the people of the Autonomous Region shall be an integral component of regional development.

Sec. 15. The Regional Government shall recognize, respect, protect, preserve, revive, develop, promote and enhance the culture, customs, traditions, beliefs and practices of the people in the area of autonomy. It shall encourage and undertake the recovery, collection, collation and restoration of historical and cultural properties for posterity.

Sec. 16. A Bureau on Cultural Heritage may be created to plan, initiate, implement and monitor cultural programs, projects and activities that shall institutionalize the preservation and enhancement of 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.