Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6655)
The title of Republic Act No. 6655 is the "Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988."
The main policy is to provide free public secondary education to all qualified citizens and to promote quality education at all levels.
It means that students enrolled in secondary courses in national high schools, general comprehensive high schools, state colleges and universities, specialized schools, trade, technical, vocational, fishery and agricultural schools, and public high schools established and funded by local government units shall be free from payment of tuition and other school fees.
Tuition fees refer to fees representing direct costs of instruction, training, related activities, and students' use of instruction and training facilities.
No, fees related to membership in the school community such as identification cards, student organizations, and publications may be collected, but nonpayment shall not bar enrollment or graduation.
It commenced in the School Year 1988-1989.
Yes, a student's right to free public high school attendance terminates if they fail for two consecutive school years in the majority of their academic subjects unless due to a valid cause.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) is vested with the establishment, renaming, conversion, integration, separation, administration, supervision, and control of all public secondary schools and personnel.
Graduates of public elementary schools in the same municipality are given priority for admission.
The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports is responsible for issuing the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.
The President is authorized to realign or transfer appropriations within the DECS and utilize savings. Additional funding needed shall be included in the General Appropriations Acts for future fiscal years.
All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.