Title
Reorganization of Ministry of Education
Law
Executive Order No. 117
Decision Date
Jan 30, 1987
Executive Order No. 117 reorganizes the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports in the Philippines to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the education sector, with the Minister overseeing the formulation, implementation, and coordination of policies and programs, as well as the supervision of all education institutions.

Law Summary

Basic Policy on Education

  • Education shall maximally contribute to national development goals.
  • The State is committed to promoting equality of access to education.
  • Education is used as a tool for cultural development and social unity.

Mandate of the Ministry

  • The Ministry is tasked with policy formulation, planning, implementation, coordination in both formal and non-formal education.
  • It supervises all public and private educational institutions.
  • Responsible for establishing a relevant and integrated educational system aligned with national development.

Powers and Functions

  • The Ministry formulates policies and programs on:
    • Elementary, secondary, physical, and international education.
    • Non-formal and vocational/technical education.
    • Higher education.
    • Cultural development.
    • Handling foreign and locally-assisted projects related to these areas.

Structural Organization

  • The Ministry comprises the Ministry Proper, Bureaus, and Regional Offices.

Units within Ministry Proper

  • Office of the Minister.
  • Planning Service: manages efficient planning and project development.
  • Financial and Management Service: advises on budgeting and management.
  • Administrative Service: handles legal assistance, records, supplies, and other administrative functions.
  • Human Resources Development Service: responsible for personnel programs, appointments, promotions, and training.
  • Technical Service: manages specialized technical staff functions including executive assistance and information/publication.

The Minister

  • Holds authority and responsibility over the Ministry's mandate and functions.
  • Appointed by the President.

Office of the Minister

  • Comprises the Minister and immediate staff.

Deputy Ministers

  • Five Deputy Ministers oversee respective sectors:
    • Elementary, secondary, physical, and international education.
    • Non-formal, vocational/technical education, and youth organizations.
    • Higher education, culture, and foreign-assisted projects.
    • Internal administration, management, regional coordination.
    • Legal, legislative affairs, and attached agencies.

Bureaus and Their Functions

  • Elementary Education Bureau: curriculum development, standards, school management.
  • Secondary Education Bureau: program development, staff quality improvement, physical plant guidelines.
  • Technical and Vocational Education Bureau: manpower planning, post-secondary vocational programs, standards and facilities.
  • Higher Education Bureau: program and policy development, data analysis, technical assistance.
  • Non-Formal Education Bureau: expands learning opportunities outside formal system to diverse citizens.
  • Physical Education and School Sports Bureau: promotes sports education, tribal and indigenous games, social integration, talent development.

Attached and Supervised Agencies

  • Attached: National Museum, National Library, National Historical Institute, Institute of Philippine Languages.
  • Supervised: Health and Nutrition Center, National Education Testing and Research Center.

Integration and Reorganization of Agencies

  • Child and Youth Research Center merged into National Education Testing Center.
  • Population Center integrated into Elementary and Secondary Education Bureaus.
  • Foreign Students and Programs Assistance Unit and National Scholarship and Student Loan Center integrated into Higher Education Bureau.

Continued Attached Agencies

  • Includes Instructional Materials Corporation, Youth and Sports Boards, Teachers Boards, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts among others.

Governance of State Colleges and Universities

  • Minister, via board chairmanships, oversees state colleges and universities directly or through Deputy Ministers.

Reactivation of the Board of Higher Education

  • The Board is charged with policy articulation for public and private post-secondary education.

Regional Offices

  • Establishment of Regional Offices in each administrative region.
  • Headed by Regional Director assisted by Assistant Regional Director.
  • Responsible for supervising school divisions, implementing policies, coordinating with local government and other agencies.

Transition and Staffing Provisions

  • Current officers and employees hold over positions with existing salaries during transition.
  • New staffing structure to be approved within 120 days.
  • Separation procedures and benefits specified for non-reappointed employees.
  • Prohibition on court injunctions against lawful personnel separations.

Performance Evaluation

  • Ministry must implement an objective system for periodic performance assessment.
  • Annual performance reports submitted to the President.

Creditor Notice and Consent

  • Organizational changes materially affecting third-party rights require prior compliance with notice and consent provisions.

Future Nomenclature Changes

  • Upon adoption of a presidential constitution, Ministry renamed Department.
  • Titles change from Minister, Deputy, Assistant to Secretary, Undersecretary, and Assistant Secretary respectively.

Restriction on Organizational Changes

  • Any organizational modification requires Presidential approval to ensure service efficiency.

Funding

  • Implementation funds to be sourced from Ministry's existing allocations.

Rule-making Authority

  • Minister empowered to issue necessary rules and regulations for enforcement.

Separability Clause

  • Unconstitutional provisions do not invalidate the entire Executive Order.

Repealing Clause

  • Inconsistent laws, rules, and issuances are repealed or modified to conform with this Order.

Effectivity Clause

  • Executive Order takes effect immediately upon approval.

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