QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 709)
RA 709 is titled “An Act Declaring Obligatory the Teaching of Spanish in All Courses of Public and Private Universities and Colleges in the Philippines.” Its purpose is to make Spanish mandatory in all university and college programs and to require students to complete Spanish units.
Yes. Section 1 declares Spanish teaching obligatory in all universities and colleges, whether public or private, and requires all students to complete at least twelve units in Spanish.
At least twelve (12) units in Spanish.
Students who, before the approval of the Act, have already obtained units in other foreign languages to satisfy existing requirements may continue studying that other foreign language until the prior requirements are fully satisfied.
Yes, insofar as it states that no collegiate course in any public or private college or university shall be opened or maintained unless Spanish is included in its program of teaching.
No. Section 2 expressly prohibits opening or maintaining any collegiate course unless Spanish is included in the program of teaching.
The Secretary of Education.
To take immediate steps to carry out the Act, including promulgating necessary rules and adopting disciplinary measures to put the Act into effect.
Beginning with the school year 1952–1953.
They may continue studying the foreign language they previously took to satisfy existing requirements regarding other foreign languages, until those requirements are fully satisfied—meaning they are not immediately compelled to comply with Spanish units as to the extent already satisfied/needed.
The college cannot lawfully open or maintain the course; inclusion of Spanish is a legal requirement for the course to be offered or continued.
Both. Section 1 imposes an obligation on students (at least twelve units of Spanish), and Section 2 imposes an obligation on institutions (courses cannot be opened or maintained unless Spanish is included). Section 3 assigns enforcement/implementation to the Secretary of Education.
Promulgation of rules and adoption of disciplinary measures to put the Act into effect.
The proviso allows such students to continue studying the other foreign language until the prior requirements are fully satisfied. If the requirement is already fully satisfied, then there may be no further obligation for that other language under the proviso; however, the text is best read as addressing those still needing to complete existing requirements.
A prohibition that makes offering/continuing a course without Spanish a violation of the law, subject to enforcement measures under Section 3.