QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10157)
It is known as the “Kindergarten Education Act.”
The State provides equal opportunities for children to avail of accessible, mandatory and compulsory kindergarten education that promotes physical, social, intellectual, emotional and skills stimulation and values formation, preparing them for formal elementary schooling; it also aims to make education learner-oriented and responsive using appropriate teaching languages.
It means one (1) year of preparatory education for children at least five (5) years old as a prerequisite for Grade I.
For school year 2011–2012, it was to be implemented partially; thereafter, it is made mandatory and compulsory for entrance to Grade 1.
Kindergarten is made an integral part of the basic education system of the country as part of the elementary school system, the first stage of compulsory and mandatory formal education.
The State adopts the mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) method, where the learner’s mother tongue is the primary medium of instruction in kindergarten.
Primary medium may be determined differently when: (a) pupils have different mother tongues or some speak another mother tongue; (b) the teacher does not speak the mother tongue of the learners; (c) resources aligned with the use of the mother tongue are not yet available; or (d) teachers are not yet trained to use the MTB-MLE program.
The Department of Education (DepEd), through the creation of a new Division under the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) and other necessary support.
Examples include: (1) oversee and supervise kindergarten program organization/operation/implementation; (2) develop the kindergarten curriculum consistent with norms/standards and values formation and use of MTB-MLE; (3) develop teaching strategies and learning materials such as listening story, small books, big books, experience story, primer lessons, and lessons exemplars; (4) manage continuing professional development for kindergarten teachers; (5) prescribe necessary qualifications for hiring and accreditation; (6) exercise authority over private kindergarten institutions; (7) supervise establishment of early childhood education venues and accredit them; (8) introduce innovative programs and educational technologies when applicable.
At minimum: (i) Listening story; (ii) Small books; (iii) Big books; (iv) Experience story; (v) Primer lessons; and (vi) Lessons exemplars.
It includes the two-track method (storytelling/reading; listening story/oral communication activities), interactive strategies, use of manipulative games, and experiential small group discussions and total physical response (TPR), among others.
DepEd shall immediately include operationalization of free public kindergarten, initially charging it against current appropriations for kindergarten education; thereafter, continuing implementation is charged to the General Fund and included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of the Act, DepEd in consultation with the DBM shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations.
If any provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, it does not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Pertinent provisions of all other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations that are contrary to or inconsistent with RA 10157 are repealed or modified accordingly.