Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- State policy to promote quality education accessible to all citizens.
- Establish integrated education systems including formal, nonformal, informal, and indigenous learning.
- Promote agricultural productivity and rural development by empowering rural communities.
- Support beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) through access to educational opportunities.
Definitions
- Act: Republic Act No. 10618, also known as the Rural Farm Schools Act.
- Alternative Delivery Mode: Flexible, nontraditional education program recognized by DepED using various teaching modalities.
- Rural Farm School: Alternative secondary education focusing on agriculture and fisheries for rural communities; classified as public or private.
- Family Enterprise Project: Student and family-led project to improve family enterprise and income.
- School Governing Council: Committee including school head, parents, teachers, and government agency representatives.
Establishment of Rural Farm Schools
- DepED to establish at least one public rural farm school per province within one year.
- Priority given to existing agricultural and fishery schools; new schools may also be established.
- Criteria for public schools include location, qualified staff, facilities, MOA with LGUs, and governing council.
- Staffing includes a school head, specialized teachers/tutors, administrative, and technical staff, compensated according to Civil Service standards.
- Private rural farm schools require a registered family farm association, adherence to formation pillars, federation membership, and DepED accreditation.
- The four pillars for private schools are Alternance System, Responsible Association, Integral Formation, and Rural Development.
- Private school staff salaries are based on Labor Code provisions.
Qualifications and Fees
- Teachers/tutors may be hired with TESDA National Certification or farm school pedagogical training certification.
- Public rural farm schools are tuition-free except authorized fees; private schools may charge minimal fees approved by DepED.
- Relatives of CARP beneficiaries up to the third degree are exempt from fees.
Students
- Elementary graduates of any age may enroll.
- Private rural farm school participants eligible for subsidies under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers program.
- Admission priority given to relatives of CARP beneficiaries and agri-fishery beneficiaries.
- Priority also extends to disadvantaged sectors including farmers, fisherfolk, workers, indigenous peoples, women, differently-abled, senior citizens, and others.
Curriculum and Teaching Methodology
- Curriculum follows DepED core secondary curriculum with additional focus on agri-fishery, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and community-specific topics.
- The final two years emphasize integrative learning and farm entrepreneurship.
- TESDA training regulations may be integrated based on community needs.
- Alternative delivery modes and the alternance system may be used.
- DepED to assess student learning and may partner with private associations.
Skills Training and Extension Support
- DepED, DAR, DA, TESDA, and ATI to provide continuous teacher training, learning materials, and extension services.
- TESDA assists in training, assessment, and certification of tutors and students.
- Curriculum development for tutor training managed by DepED with benchmarking from international rural farm school systems.
Accreditation
- DepED, with relevant agencies and federations, to set policies and standards for accreditation.
- Rural farm schools must be accredited to operate.
- Accreditation may be withdrawn or suspended for non-compliance.
- DepED to conduct at least biannual monitoring and evaluation of schools.
Tax Exemption
- Donations to accredited rural farm schools exempt from donor’s tax and deductible for income tax purposes if accredited by DepED and PCNC.
Roles of Implementing Agencies
- DepED regulates rural farm schools and curriculum implementation.
- DA-ATI provides training, curriculum development, and student organization support.
- DAR assists in beneficiary identification, technical assistance, and organizing farm associations.
- TESDA provides technical assistance for curriculum embedment, training, assessment, and certification.
Transitory Provisions
- Existing family farm schools may seek accreditation within one year.
- A Program Management Committee comprising multiple agencies and private associations to formulate operational manuals.
- Regional and division committees to be created for program management.
Final Provisions
- Funding for public rural farm schools to be part of DepED’s budget included in the General Appropriations Act.
- Separability clause ensures the validity of the remaining provisions if any part is invalidated.
- Repealing clause rescinds inconsistent laws and regulations.
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication and registered accordingly.