Title
Mandatory Spanish in Philippine Colleges Act
Law
Republic Act No. 709
Decision Date
Jun 5, 1952
Republic Act No. 709 mandates the teaching of Spanish in all public and private universities and colleges in the Philippines, requiring students to complete at least twelve units in the language, with exemptions for those who have already studied other foreign languages.

Policy and purpose requirement

  • Section 1 mandates Spanish as a required subject in all relevant collegiate study.
  • Section 2 requires Spanish to be included in the teaching program of any collegiate course offered by any public or private college or university.
  • Section 3 directs the Secretary of Education to take immediate steps to implement the Act through rules and disciplinary measures.

Mandatory Spanish units for students

  • Section 1 requires that all students must complete twelve units at least in Spanish.
  • Section 1 makes Spanish completion a requirement for students in the covered collegiate system.
  • Section 1 provides an exception for students who, before the approval of this Act, have already obtained units in other foreign languages to satisfy existing requirements regarding other foreign languages.
  • Section 1 allows those exempt students to continue studying the foreign language they previously pursued until their existing requirements regarding other foreign languages are fully satisfied.

Coverage of schools and programs

  • Section 2 prohibits opening or maintaining any collegiate course in any public or private college or university unless Spanish is included in the course’s program of teaching.
  • Section 2 applies to every collegiate course offered by any covered institution.
  • Section 2 makes Spanish inclusion a prerequisite for maintaining and operating collegiate courses.

Implementation by the Department of Education

  • Section 3 requires the Secretary of Education to take immediate steps to carry out Republic Act No. 709.
  • Section 3 authorizes the promulgation of rules necessary to put the Act into effect.
  • Section 3 requires the adoption of disciplinary measures to ensure compliance with the Act.

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