Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) No. 8896

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IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8896 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT CONVERTING THE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF THE APAYAO STATE COLLEGE, LUNA CAMPUS, PROVINCE OF APAYAO INTO A SEPARATE, INDEPENDENT AND DISTINCT HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE APAYAO SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

RULE I. Rationale

Section 1. Republic Act No. 8896 converts the high school department of the Apayao State College, Luna Campus, Province of Apayao into a separate, independent and distinct high school to be known as the Apayao Science High School (ASHS).

Section 2. The ASHS shall offer free secondary education programs with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the sciences aimed at preparing its students for a science career.

Section 3. Republic Act No. 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, provides the framework for the governance of basic education. RA No. 9155 vests to DepEd the authority, accountability and responsibility for achieving higher learning outcomes. The law further defines the roles and responsibilities of and provides resources to the field offices which shall implement educational programs, projects and services to the communities they serve.

Section 4. To this end, this IRR aims to effectively carry out the provisions of RA 8896, consistent with the purposes and objectives of the subsequent law, the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, and all other education-related laws enacted thereafter.

RULE II. Scope of Application

Section 5. This IRR prescribes the administration, organization, and procedure for the operation of the Apayao Science High School to achieve its purpose of offering a secondary education program with an enriched science and math curriculum.

RULE III. Definition of Terms

Section 6. For purposes of this IRR, the following definition of terms is hereby adopted:

a) Act – refers to Republic Act No. 8896 titled: “An Act Converting the High School Department of the Apayao State College, Luna Campus, Province of Apayao into a Separate, Independent and Distinct High School to be known as the Apayao Science High School and Appropriating Funds Therefor

b) RA 9155 – refers to Republic Act No. 9155 titled: “An Act Instituting a Framework of Governance for Basic Education, Establishing Authority and Accountability, Renaming the Department of Education, Culture and Sports as the Department of Education, and for Other Purposes’’, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education Act of2001.

RULE IV. Declaration of Policy

Section 7. This IRR shall be interpreted in the light of the purpose of RA 8896 consistent with the provisions of RA 9155. For this purpose, the Apayao Science High School shall:

a) Develop a core of youth who have the interest and aptitude in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and whose scientific efforts shall lead the Province of Apayao to progress and development;
b) Comply with the implementing rules and regulations of the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001;
c) Adhere to the DepEd’s vision, mission, mandate and core values;
d) Contribute to the attainment of the DepEd’s goals and outcomes;
e) Actively engage the learners, their families, community and other stakeholders in the formulation, adoption, implementation and review of school policies and school improvement plan;
f) Establish external partnership and linkages within and outside the government in realizing its goals as a science high school.

RULE V. Curriculum and Instruction

Section 8. The school shall implement the special curriculum for the STEM Program of the DepEd as formulated and designed by the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction. The school may localize and enhance its curriculum, consistent with the curriculum standards and principles prescribed by the DepEd for all secondary schools.

The special curriculum for STEM shall be handled only by teachers whose areas of specialization are in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

RULE VI. Learning Environment

Section 9. Adequate educational facilities appropriate for special curricular program in STEM shall be provided to ensure quality education for all learners in the school. The school shall have adequate instructional rooms, including academic classrooms, computer rooms, science laboratories and workshop rooms and library, which shall conform to the minimum standards for instructional spaces and equipment prescribed by the DepEd.

Section 10. The provision of such other buildings, structures, and facilities, which include but not limited to, dormitory, canteen, sports facilities, multi-purpose building, and clinic, may be sourced from other funding agencies and local government units if not included under the DepEd national budget.

RULE VII. Leadership and Governance

Section 11. The school shall be headed by a school head whose appointment and compensation shall be in accordance with RA No. 9155, Civil Service laws, and other rules and regulations. In addition to those specifically provided for in this IRR, the functions, powers and duties of the school head of the ASHS shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the school head of a public high school.

Section 12. The school head shall be assisted by an assistant school head, including teaching and non-teaching staff, whose appointment and compensation shall be in accordance with DepEd guidelines on hiring and Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.

RULE VIII. Administration and Finance

Section 13. Notwithstanding the guidelines for the classification of Implementing Units of regular secondary schools, the Office of the Undersecretary for Finance and Administration of DepEd shall ensure that the ASHS is classified as Implementing Unit in order to effectively manage its finances and ensure fiscal autonomy. As an implementing unit, the school shall be provided by the DepEd with an agency code and its own financial staff.

Section 14. In the event that a dormitory is established, the school head is encouraged to forge agreements with the Local Government of Apayao and other partners in the community for its operation and maintenance; Provided, That minimal fees may be charged to the student residents for the operation and maintenance of the dormitory.

Section 15. Through partnership and external linkages, the school head is encouraged to forge agreements with the Local Government of Apayao and government agencies and instrumentalities, non-government organizations, civic organization, whether local, national or international, and such other institutions for purposes of providing scholarship, stipends and allowance for ASHS students.

Section 16. Pursuant to Section 13 of the Act, all legacies, gifts and donations for the benefit of the high school for its support and maintenance or for aid to any of its students shall be tax-exempt and shall be an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donors. For purposes of income tax, the high school shall be exempt from the payment of taxes, fees, assessments and other charges of the government, its branches and subdivisions.

RULE IX. Monitoring and Evaluation

Section 17. Consistent with the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system of DepEd , the DepEd – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Office shall monitor and evaluate the performance of ASHS. The DepEd-CAR Regional Office shall collaborate with the Office of Planning Service and School Effectiveness Division for the identification of indicators to be monitored and evaluated. The M&E system shall have the following objectives and scope:

a) Track the progress of implementation of this IRR and interface it with other secondary schools offering special science program, and to identify best practices, issues and gaps;
b) Determine the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the various areas of ASHS to include curriculum and instruction, learning environment, finance and administration every three years;
c) Conduct various research studies for the development of innovative and cutting-edge programs applicable to ASHS;
d) Utilize the data collected through the existing information system of the DepEd for purposes of program enhancement and policy formulation for ASHS;
e) Based on empirical findings, propose amendments for the enhancement and responsiveness of this IRR and RA No. 8896.

Section 18. Using the School Report Card, the school head shall cause the publication of the performance of ASHS bi-annually for all stakeholders of ASHS to ensure transparency and accountability.

RULE X. Transitory Provision

Section 19. The Apayao Science High School shall immediately initiate the formal acquisition of its school site under the name of DepEd, and to include in its FY 2017 budget proposal the budgetary requirements of the priority educational facilities.

RULE XI. Repeal

Section 20. All DepEd Orders and other related issuances, rules and regulations and provisions which are inconsistent with these guidelines are hereby repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.

RULE XII. Effectivity

Section 21. This IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. This shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Approved:

BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary