JUNE 7, 2016

NR # 4224B

Solon to push for the institutionalization of scholarship grants

to public school teachers and their children
A re-elected lawmaker has vowed to re-file in the 17th Congress a measure that seeks to
provide educational benefits to public school teachers by institutionalizing the scholarship grants to
them and their children.
Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City) said House Bill 6462, which he filed in
the 16th Congress, emphasized the importance of the teaching profession.
Teaching is the profession that creates all other professions. While teachers are genuinely
fulfilled in their practice, they also struggle with the financial limitations of their career, Vargas said.
Vargas said it is only fitting that these individuals are rewarded with more benefits.
Vargas stressed that through this initiative, public school teachers who have been in active
duty for at least two years are eligible to avail of the scholarship grants to enroll in any masters or
post-graduate course.
Their legitimate children shall also be entitled to avail of the scholarship grant which covers
preschool, elementary, secondary and tertiary education, Vargas said.
Under the measure to be known as the Scholarship Grants to Public School Teachers and
their Children Act, public school teachers who have been in active duty for at least two years are
eligible to avail of the scholarship grants to enroll in any masters or post-graduate course.
Also, legitimate children of public school teachers who are in active service shall be eligible
to avail of the scholarship grant.
However, Vargas clarified that children of retired public school teachers may avail of the
scholarship grant for their children provided their children shall be entitled only to a proportional
amount of the scholarship grant.
The measure covers all public schools and state universities nationwide. The children of
public school teachers shall be qualified to avail of the grant only upon passing all the requirements
set by the respective schools.
Vargas said public school teachers who have been charged and proven to have committed acts
of professional misconduct shall forfeit their eligibility to avail of the grant. They shall also forfeit
the eligibility of the grant for their children.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are
designated the implementing agencies and directed to formulate the rules and regulations for this Act.
Through this bill, not only do we boost the morale and self-esteem of Filipino teachers, but
we also contribute to their educational and professional growth. If enacted, this measure may attract
more individuals to commit to the profession of teaching, Vargas said. (30) lvc