Law Summary
Conditions for Establishment of Integrated Schools
- Integrated Schools may be established if any of the following exist:
- No schools offering basic education in the area.
- The only elementary school operates a multi-grade program.
- Insufficient number of elementary graduates to justify a separate secondary school.
- Inadequate number of teacher and school head positions to justify separate schools.
- Difficulty in acquiring school sites for secondary schools.
- Insufficient equipment and resources to support separate elementary and secondary schools.
Distinctive Features of Integrated Schools
- Structure:
- Provides basic education from grade 1 to fourth year high school.
- Managed by one principal.
- Unified administrative staff, faculty club, and Parent-Teacher Community Association (PTCA).
- Instructional supervision crosses both elementary and secondary levels.
- Staff Qualifications:
- Principal must have Bachelor of Education and career service eligibility.
- Teachers must have Bachelor’s degrees with appropriate professional units; BS-ESE degree holders can teach both levels.
- Only one principal per school; provisions for conflict resolution if two principals exist.
- Enrollment:
- Preferably from students who completed elementary education in the same school.
- Graduates from other schools may be admitted following a transition program.
- Students may be grouped heterogeneously or homogeneously per division policy.
- Curriculum:
- Unified instructional program spanning elementary and secondary levels with continuous learning competencies.
- Use of nationally adopted instructional materials with additional resources for enrichment.
- Adheres to DECS rating and grading systems for promotion and honors.
- Facilities:
- Shared resources among all grade/year levels.
- Rural school sites should be at least one hectare; smaller in urban/rurban areas.
- Budget:
- Principal positions may be reclassified based on staff supervised, subject to DBM approval.
- Funding sourced from regional appropriations or savings through vacancy abolishment.
- Salaries and expenses initially funded by the Division Office until GAA incorporation.
Procedures for Establishment and Operation
- Steps for elementary schools to become Integrated Schools include securing community, local government endorsements, and approval from DECS Secretary.
- A four-year implementation plan must be drafted outlining enrollees, staff, facilities, and budgets.
- Schools enroll elementary graduates and implement the first year of secondary education gradually advancing to full secondary curriculum.
- Private schools may apply for Integrated School status following the same guidelines.
- Existing Integrated Schools must progress towards full integration with one principal and unified curriculum.
- Definition of integration levels:
- Partial: shared site but separate administrations and curricula.
- Full: shared site, single principal, unified curriculum.
- Training:
- Summer programs for teacher training on new teaching methods.
- Collaboration with Teacher Training Institutions recommended.
- Regional/division supervisors to provide ongoing technical assistance.