Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 586)
The official title is the "Educational Act of 1940."
The main objectives are: (a) to simplify, shorten, and make practical the primary and intermediate courses; (b) to afford every school-age child access to at least the primary course; (c) to ensure every child completing primary has adequate knowledge in basic subjects and civic training; (d) to ensure all elementary pupils remain literate and become useful, upright, and patriotic citizens.
The Department of Public Instruction is responsible for revising the elementary school curriculum to effectuate the objectives of the Act, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
Exemptions include: (1) when the nearest school is more than three kilometers and not conveniently accessible; (2) if the child is mentally or physically unable with a physician's certificate; (3) economic inability of parents; (4) if the child transfers to a private school.
They shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty pesos nor more than fifty pesos.
With presidential approval, the maximum age for admission to public elementary schools may be raised to nine years, and the length of time to complete both primary and intermediate courses may be reduced to not less than five years.
The National Government shall support public elementary education, while chartered cities will support intermediate classes within their jurisdictions, with possible national aid to financially unable cities. Various government tax proceeds shall be allocated to finance the system as specified.
The school fund is disestablished, and any unexpended/unobligated funds become part of the municipal general fund; further school monies will accrue to the municipal general fund, with no tuition fees collected for intermediate instruction.
No, tuition fees for intermediate instruction by municipalities and municipal districts shall not be collected, and any fees collected during school year 1940-1941 must be returned to contributors.
Commonwealth Act Numbered 381, Section 8 of Commonwealth Act No. 465, Sections 358, 360, 363 and parts of Section 366 of Commonwealth Act No. 466, and other conflicting laws are repealed or superseded by this Act.