Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8525)
The official title is the "Adopt-a-School Act of 1998."
The State's policy is to provide quality and relevant education to Filipino youth and to encourage private initiative to support public education.
The program allows private entities to assist public schools by providing support such as staff and faculty development, construction and upgrading of facilities, provision of instructional materials, and modernization of instructional technologies.
Public elementary, secondary, or tertiary schools, preferably located in the twenty poorest provinces identified by the Presidential Council for Countryside Development or other government agencies.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) must be entered into between the adopting entity and the head of the school, subject to review and approval by the Superintendent of Schools of the province or district.
The MOA shall last for at least two years, with the possibility of extension.
The period may be shortened if the adopting entity is dissolved before the end of the period, unless otherwise terminated earlier as provided in the Act.
The local school board of the province or city where the school is located conducts the review to assess the adoption and its results, which affect the adopting entity's application for tax credits.
Adopting entities are allowed an additional deduction from gross income equivalent to 50% of the expenses incurred for the Adopt-a-School Program.
It is based on the acquisition cost of the property, considering depreciation if the property has already been used.
The company's name will be emblazoned beneath the school’s name indicating the school's participation in the program, and the adopting entity shall be represented in the local school board of the municipality where the school is located.
The Council is composed of the Secretary of DECS as chairperson; the Chairpersons of CHED and TESDA as co-chairpersons; the chairperson of the PCCD; and a representative from a national federation of chambers of commerce appointed by the President. It coordinates and monitors the implementation of the Act.
The Council meets once every three months.
No, they are not compensated but are entitled to reimbursements for reasonable expenses related to the Council’s activities.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in consultation with the Department of Finance.
The declaration does not affect the validity of the other provisions of the Act.
It took effect fifteen days after its publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.
Yes, upon appropriate review, the local school board may recommend termination to the Coordinating Council.
The adopting entity may appeal to the Coordinating Council, whose decision is final and unappealable.