Policy Declaration and Purpose
- The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. (Section 2)
- The State affirms the fundamental role of educational institutions in inculcating patriotism and nationalism and fostering love of humanity. (Section 2)
- The State requires education that promotes respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of modern-day and national heroes, and teaching the rights and duties of citizenship. (Section 2)
- The State directs that education should strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency. (Section 2)
- The State commits to including youth involvement in public and civic affairs, prioritizing education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. (Section 2)
Definitions Used in the Act
- Human Dignity means the unique and inherent value or worth of human persons; it is intrinsic, hence innate, inviolable, inalienable, and universal. (Section 3(a))
- Values Education refers to: (1) the process that provides young people internalization of values enabling students to grasp underlying principles, act on those principles, and develop a settled disposition to do so; (2) different pedagogies, methods, or programs used by teachers/educators to create learning experiences on valuing processes, value positions, and value judgment; and (3) learning about self and the wisdom of life through self-exploratory, systematic, and scientific ways. (Section 3(b))
- Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) refers to universally accepted basic social values and etiquette and/or proper modes of behavior conveying respect to those one interacts with. (Section 3(c))
- Character Building Activities mean actual and authentic learning activities where the character of learners is formed, shaped, and/or built-up. (Section 3(d))
Institutionalization in K to 12
- Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education replace the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao curriculum and are institutionalized in the K to 12 basic education curriculum. (Section 4)
- GMRC is taught from Grades 1 to 6 as a separate subject with the same time allotment as other core subjects. (Section 4(a))
- GMRC is integrated in the daily learning activities in the kindergarten level. (Section 4(a))
- The Department of Education (DepEd) must introduce GMRC through clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character building activities such as role playing, community immersion activities, teacher-parent collaborative learning activities, school-initiated values formation activities, simulated activities, and other experiential learning. (Section 4(a))
- GMRC must inculcate concepts of human dignity, respect for oneself, and giving oneself to others in the spirit of community, and must focus on basic tenets including caring for one self, concern for others, proper respect for people, upholding discipline and order, cultivating sincerity, honesty, obedience, and above all, love for country. (Section 4(a))
- Values Education is taught from Grades 7 to 10 as a separate subject with the same time allotment as other core subjects, using clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character building activities. (Section 4(b))
- In Grades 7 to 10, GMRC remains integrated in the teaching of Values Education. (Section 4(b))
- Values Education is integrated in the teaching of subjects in Grades 11 and 12. (Section 4(c))
Coverage and Required Values
- Values Education is an integral and essential part of DepEd’s K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum. (Section 5)
- Values Education encompasses universal human, ethical, and moral values, among others. (Section 5)
- Values Education must inculcate respect for oneself, others, and elders. (Section 5)
- Values Education must cover intercultural diversity, gender equity, ecology and integrity of creation, peace and justice, and obedience to the law. (Section 5)
- Values Education must teach nationalism and global citizenship, and the values of patience, perseverance, industry, honesty and integrity, and good faith in dealing with other human beings. (Section 5)
- Values Education must also instill all other universal values included within its coverage. (Section 5)
Teacher Qualification and Capacity Building
- Teachers with diploma, certification, and/or training in Values Education or other allied disciplines must be given preference in teaching the core subject. (Section 6)
- DepEd must carry out appropriate training for teachers and educators on GMRC and Values Education. (Section 6)
- DepEd must provide adequate and relevant instructional materials to develop and enhance teachers’ capacity to teach the subject. (Section 6)
Whole School Approach
- A whole school approach must be adopted to effectively institutionalize and teach GMRC and Values Education as a core subject. (Section 7)
- The whole school approach must facilitate collaborative action in and by the school community and other stakeholders. (Section 7)
- The whole school approach must foster parental involvement and develop home and school partnerships for an inclusive values education framework. (Section 7)
Annual Review, Assessment, and Reporting
- DepEd must conduct an annual review of the institutionalization of GMRC and Values Education in the K to 12 curriculum to ensure proper implementation. (Section 8)
- DepEd’s annual review must assess student learning outcomes to determine efficacy. (Section 8)
- DepEd must submit the review report to the Committees on Basic Education of both houses of Congress within 30 days from the termination of the review and assessment period. (Section 8)
Implementing Agency and Funding
- DepEd is the lead agency responsible for implementing the provisions of the Act. (Section 9)
- The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the Act must be sourced from the current appropriations of DepEd. (Section 10)
- The amount necessary for continuous implementation must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 10)
Implementing Rules, Separability, and Repeal
- DepEd, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, must issue the necessary rules and regulations for effective implementation within 90 days after the Act’s effectivity. (Section 11)
- If any part or provision of the Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected must remain in full force and effect. (Section 12)
- All laws, decrees, rules, executive orders, and other administrative issuances, and parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the Act are repealed, superseded, or modified accordingly. (Section 13)