EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 210
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 210 -
ESTABLISHING THE POLICY TO STRENGTHEN THE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
WHEREAS,
Sec. 7, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that for
purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of
the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law,
English;
WHEREAS, it is a declared policy of the State to promote education as a
means to achieve and maintain an accelerating rate of economic
development and social progress;
WHEREAS, there is a need to develop the aptitude, competence and
proficiency of our students in the English language to maintain and
improve their competitive edge in emerging and fast-growing local and
international industries, particularly in the area of Information and
Communications Technology [ICT];
WHEREAS, strengthening the use of the English language as a medium of
instruction also depends on the improvement of the entire educational
system, particularly in the training of educators and the provision of
learning materials and resources;
WHEREAS, the Department of Education [DepEd], the Commission on Higher
Education [CHED] and the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority [TESDA] fully support the policies sought to be established
herein and have favorably endorsed the issuance of this Executive Order;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic
of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the
Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:
Section 1. Declaration of Policies. — The following
policies are hereby established:
a.
English shall be taught as a second language, starting with the First
Grade.
b. As provided
for in the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum, English shall be used as
the medium of instruction for English, Mathematics and Science from at
least the Third Grade level.
c. The English
language shall be used as the primary medium of instruction in all
public and private institutions of learning in the secondary level,
including those established as laboratory and/or experimental schools,
and non-formal and vocational or technical educational institutions. As
the primary medium of instruction, the percentage of time allotment for
learning areas conducted in the English language is expected to be not
less than seventy percent (70%) of the total time allotment for all
learning areas in the secondary level.
It is the objective of the foregoing policies to develop the aptitude,
competence and proficiency of all students in the use of the English
language to make them better prepared for the job opportunities
emerging in the new, technology-driven sectors of the economy.
Sec. 2. Institutions of Higher Education. —
Institutions of higher education, including State Colleges and
Universities [SUCs], are hereby encouraged to adopt the use of the
English language as the primary medium of instruction in the tertiary
level. The CHED shall adopt measures to promote and encourage the use
of the English language as the primary medium of instruction in the
tertiary or higher education level.
Sec. 3. Proficiency of Teachers. — The DepEd,
through the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines [NEAP], the
Educational Development Project Implementing Task Force [EDPITAF], the
CHED, the TESDA, as well as through the educational institutions in the
private sector, shall evaluate the proficiency of educators in the
English language and conduct training programs nationwide to develop
and improve it.
Sec. 4. Support Mechanisms. — The implementing
authorities specified in Sec. 5 hereof shall undertake to secure the
funding support necessary to provide adequate learning materials and
resources that will develop the aptitude, competence and proficiency of
students in the English language. They shall also collaborate in
developing an evaluation instrument that will make it possible to
monitor the progress of educators and students in achieving the policy
objectives established herein.
Sec. 5. Implementing Authorities. — The DepEd and
the TESDA are hereby directed to take active steps to ensure the
implementation of this Executive Order and monitor compliance therewith
in all public and private institutions of learning in the elementary
and secondary levels, including those established as laboratory and/or
experimental schools, and non-formal and vocational or technical
educational institutions.
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The
DepEd, the CHED and the TESDA are hereby authorized to issue the
appropriate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
the policies established herein.
Sec. 7. Report to the President. — Within thirty
(30) days from the issuance of this Executive Order, the DepEd, the
CHED and the TESDA shall submit to the President a plan of action to
effectively implement the provisions of this Executive Order.
Sec. 8. Use of the Filipino Language. — Pursuant
to the Constitutionally-mandated policy of the Government to ensure and
promote the evolution, development and further enrichment of Filipino
as the national language of the Philippines, the Filipino language
shall continue to be the medium of instruction in the learning areas of
Filipino and Araling Panlipunan.
Sec. 9. Guarantee of Academic Freedom. — Nothing
in this Executive Order shall be construed as limiting the academic
freedom of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. — All executive
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall
take effect immediately upon approval.
City of Manila, May 17, 2003
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