Law Summary

1. Conversion of the Institution

• Explanation: The Southern Leyte School of Arts and Trades in Sogod, Southern Leyte is officially converted into a state college known as the Southern Leyte State College of Science and Technology (referred to as "the College").
• Key Definitions:
  • "College" refers to the newly established institution.
• Important Requirements: None specified.
• Timeframes: The law was enacted on March 1, 1995.
• Consequences: None specified for this section.

2. Purposes of the College

• Explanation: The College aims to provide vocational-technical education, higher education in technological and vocational fields, and special programs for research and graduate studies preparation.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Vocational-technical instruction" and "apprenticeship training" refer to educational programs that meet regional manpower needs.
• Important Requirements: None specified.
• Consequences: None specified.

3. Academic Offerings

• Explanation: The College will offer various degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Engineering fields and education majors, in addition to existing technical programs.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Degree courses" include bachelor programs in specific fields.
• Important Requirements: Implementation of the new academic offerings.
• Timeframes: None specified.
• Consequences: None specified.

4. High School Transition

• Explanation: The existing high school will be supervised by the Department of Education, but may remain on the College campus until relocated.
• Key Definitions: "High school" refers to the current educational institution transitioning under new governance.
• Important Requirements:
  • The high school must be relocated or accommodated in other schools.
• Consequences: None specified.

5. Governance Structure

• Explanation: The College will be governed by a Board of Trustees, composed of various stakeholders, including the CHED chairperson and College president.
• Key Definitions:
  • "SUC president" refers to the College president.
• Important Requirements: Establishment of the Board of Trustees and its composition.
• Consequences: Members serve without compensation but receive per diem.

6. Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees

• Explanation: The Board has various powers, including financial oversight, curriculum approval, and faculty appointments.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Curricula" refers to the academic programs offered by the College.
• Important Requirements:
  • Approval of faculty and staff compensation, curricula, and rules.
• Consequences: Removal of employees may occur after due process.

7. Reporting Obligations

• Explanation: The Board must submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines detailing the College's programs and needs.
• Key Definitions: None specified.
• Important Requirements: Annual report by June 17 each year.
• Consequences: None specified.

8. Composition of the College Council

• Explanation: The College Council is responsible for academic governance, including faculty qualifications and student discipline.
• Key Definitions:
  • "College Council" refers to the governing body overseeing academic standards.
• Important Requirements:
  • Approval of faculty qualifications and student disciplinary rules.
• Consequences: None specified.

9. Faculty Composition

• Explanation: The faculty includes various educational roles and must adhere to non-sectarian teaching policies.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Faculty" includes all teaching and key administrative personnel.
• Important Requirements:
  • No sectarian teachings are allowed.
• Consequences: Dismissal for violation of non-sectarian policy.

10. Administrative Provisions

• Explanation: The administrative officer doubles as the secretary of the Board and maintains official records.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Administrative officer" refers to the designated record keeper.
• Important Requirements:
  • Maintenance of designated records.
• Consequences: None specified.

11. Financial Management

• Explanation: The Treasurer of the Philippines acts as the ex officio treasurer of the College, and audits are conducted by the Commission on Audit.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Ex officio treasurer" refers to the Treasurer of the Philippines in this role.
• Important Requirements:
  • Compliance with audit regulations.
• Consequences: None specified.

12. Transfer of Assets

• Explanation: All assets, personnel, and appropriations from the Southern Leyte School of Arts and Trades are transferred to the College.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Assets" refer to properties and personnel associated with the former institution.
• Important Requirements:
  • Complete transfer of assets to the College.
• Consequences: None specified.

13. Funding Provisions

• Explanation: Initial funding is sourced from the current appropriations of the Southern Leyte School of Arts and Trades, with future needs included in the General Appropriations Act.
• Key Definitions:
  • "General Appropriations Act" refers to the annual budget law.
• Important Requirements:
  • Future funding must be included in annual budget considerations.
• Consequences: None specified.

Key Takeaways

• The Southern Leyte School of Arts and Trades has been converted into the Southern Leyte State College of Science and Technology.
• The College aims to enhance vocational and higher education within Region VIII.
• A structured governance and academic framework is established, ensuring non-sectarian teaching and comprehensive oversight by the Board of Trustees.
• Financial management and asset transfer protocols are clearly defined for the smooth operation of the new institution.