Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6054)
The objective is to provide equal opportunities for high school education to all children in the Philippines regardless of their birthplace or their parents' economic condition, enabling all to achieve high school education.
A 'Barrio High School' refers to high schools established in the barrios of the Philippines, except those maintained by the Bureau of Public Schools, Bureau of Vocational Education, private high schools under the Bureau of Private Schools, and laboratory high schools of State Universities and Colleges, offering the standard secondary course prescribed by the Department of Education and organized, maintained, and supervised according to this Act.
At least forty students in the barrio must be available to constitute a class for organizing a barrio high school.
The Barrio Council initiates the organization of a barrio high school upon petition signed by parents of at least forty eligible students and must submit this petition along with their resolution of approval to the Superintendent of Schools.
The Secretary of Education, through the Director of Public Schools, has the power to authorize the opening and closing of barrio high schools that violate provisions of the Act or related regulations.
Barrio high schools are primarily supported by tuition fees, which shall not exceed fees paid in provincial high schools. Additionally, funds come from a portion of real estate taxes allocated to the barrio, and a special trust fund administered by the Secretary of Education derived from appropriations by the national government.
Teachers must have the same qualifications as those required for teachers in any provincial, city, or municipal high school, and at least one full-time qualified teacher must be on staff. Qualified elementary school teachers may teach part-time with superintendent approval.
Full-time teachers shall receive salaries at least equal to those of similar rank teachers in regular public high schools. Honoraria for part-time teachers are to be determined through rules promulgated by the Secretary of Education.
Barrio high schools shall adopt an integrated curriculum of academic and vocational subjects tailored to community needs, with vocational courses in each year being terminal.
No, except for those existing at the time of the Act's approval. Exceptions may be made by the Secretary of Education when public interest requires it.
The barrio councils have responsibility for administering funds, including safekeeping and proper disbursement according to approved budgets, subject to usual accounting and auditing regulations. Funds are deposited with the municipal treasurer by the barrio treasurer.
Barrios are answerable for all claims arising from operation within their jurisdiction. If a barrio high school is established and operated by two or more barrios, liability shall be joint and several.
Yes, these bureaus are authorized to allow the use of their existing facilities by barrio high schools whenever those facilities are not in use by their own schools.
The ordinance shall be deemed approved if the city or municipal council does not act within fifteen days, excluding non-working days.
Disagreements are referred to the provincial or city fiscal for final action pursuant to Section Twenty of the Revised Barrio Charter.