Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 180)
The Secretary of Public Instruction is tasked with maintaining a general standard of efficiency in all private schools and colleges to ensure they provide adequate instruction, and they have the authority to supervise and regulate these institutions.
A private school or college under this Act includes any private individuals or corporations not under the authority of the Bureau of Education, University of the Philippines, or Bureau of Public Welfare, offering courses from kindergarten to professional levels and granting diplomas, certificates, titles, or degrees.
The person or group must secure permission from the Secretary of Public Instruction and file a petition detailing the school's name, location, officers, financial condition, buildings, teachers' qualifications, curriculum, laboratories, equipment, libraries, and other requested information.
The institution must operate recognized postgraduate courses leading to master's degrees, four-year undergraduate courses in liberal arts and sciences, at least three professional colleges, and maintain a professionally administered library with at least ten thousand bound volumes.
They must meet all the requirements of the Act before June 1938 or face penalties including closure and other sanctions.
If the school is satisfactorily managed and provides adequate instruction, the Secretary of Public Instruction may issue a Government recognition certificate that allows the institution to grant certificates to students signifying completion of approved courses.
Yes, unless exempted by the Secretary, they must be incorporated under the Corporation Law (Act No. 1459) within ninety days after recognition and submit incorporation papers to the Secretary.
They must publish minimum standards for primary, intermediate, and high schools, colleges granting academic degrees, and special or vocational/professional schools such as law, medical, dental, pharmaceutical, engineering, and agricultural schools.
Such persons or groups are guilty of misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to 500 pesos, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, with corporate officers personally held responsible.
It repealed the abolition of the Office of the Commissioner of Private Education and created the Office of Private Education headed by the Director of Private Education, with a set annual compensation.