PNU as National Center for Teacher Education

The State prioritizes the continuing professional training and development of all Filipino teachers.
The State must optimize the potentials of the country’s teaching force to increase access to, promote equity in, and improve the quality of basic and higher education.
The State prioritizes studies in education emphasizing innovations and alternative systems, including their utilization and application to teacher training and development.

Section 3 designates the Philippine Normal University (PNU) as the National Center for Teacher Education.
As National Center, the PNU performs additional functions on top of its powers and functions under its charter.
The PNU provides technical support to DepEd and CHED for programs and projects that chart policies and recommendations on:
- teacher training, teacher education, continuing professional education of teachers and academic supervisors, and
- teacher education curricula.
The PNU builds and develops a database of education policies to serve as a resource to policy-makers.
The PNU conducts researches, case studies, and other methodologies to enhance curriculum and training designs for teacher training, teacher education, and continuing professional education of teachers and academic supervisors.
When directed by Congress, the PNU provides assistance to legislators for the design and analysis of legislative proposals concerning teacher training, teacher education, continuing professional education of teachers and academic supervisors, teacher education curricula, and other issues affecting teacher education.

Section 4 requires the PNU to make an annual presentation to DepEd, CHED, the House and Senate Committees on Education, and other education institutions.
The annual presentation must cover the PNU’s proposed standards for:
- teacher training,
- teacher education,
- continuing professional education of teachers and academic supervisors, and
- teacher education curricula.
The presentation must be made available to the general public, especially to teachers and academic supervisors.
The presentation must include, among others:
- necessary competencies of teachers and academic supervisors in their various fields of specialization,
- innovative strategies and alternative modalities of teaching and learning, and
- information and communication technology breakthroughs to assist teaching and learning.

Section 5 requires the PNU to establish an Education Policy Research and Development Office.
The Office must:
- establish and maintain a database of education policies and significant issues facing the country’s education system and education systems of other countries, especially in the Asia Pacific region,
- create and test different models of teacher education, address key factors in successful teacher education programs, and determine which model best achieves the country’s education goals,
- disseminate research output on teacher education to make it readily available to end users such as teachers and academic supervisors,
- share education research expertise and competence with other Teacher Education Institutions throughout the country,
- advise policy-makers and decision-makers in planning, implementing, and evaluating reforms in teacher education, including licensing of professional teachers,
- assist in assessing government programs on education by being required to comment and/or make recommendations regarding policies and programs on education, and
- conduct periodic studies to craft responsive education policies and programs.
The research funding of other state universities and colleges is not affected by the provisions of Republic Act No. 9647.

Section 6 requires the PNU to prepare a modernization plan to fulfill its mandate as National Center for Teacher Education and to upgrade its capability to provide pre-service and in-service formation for teachers.
The modernization plan must enhance curricular programs to make them relevant and responsive to the needs of society and address educational needs of communities.
The modernization plan must also include a program for staff development.
The modernization plan must also include upgrading of services, facilities, and equipment in the University.
The PNU must submit the proposed modernization plan to the University’s Board of Regents for approval.

Section 7 provides that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary:
- all revenues and assets of the PNU used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes or in support thereof are exempt from all taxes and duties.
Section 7 exempts gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds from the donor’s tax.
Gifts and donations qualify as allowable deductions from the donor’s gross income under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
Allowable deductions are equivalent to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the value of the donation.
Valuation of assistance other than money is based on acquisition cost, taking into account depreciated value when the property has been used.
Importation of economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical and cultural books, supplies and materials duly certified by the Board—including scientific and educational computer and software equipment—is exempt from customs duties.
The University pays zero percent (0%) value-added tax for all transactions subject to VAT.
All academic monetary awards are exempt from taxes.

Section 8 appropriates Two hundred fifty million pesos (P250,000,000.00) for capital outlay to carry out Republic Act No. 9647, in addition to the current year’s appropriations for the PNU.
For the succeeding five (5) years, One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) is appropriated per year in addition to the PNU’s annual capital outlay appropriations.
Thereafter, the amount necessary to sustain the program must be included in the PNU’s annual appropriations.

Section 9 provides that if any part, section, or provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected remain in full force and effect.
Section 10 repeals, amends, or modifies all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or other issuances inconsistent with Republic Act No. 9647.