(MANILA TIMES) SEN. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 2345 to strengthen the special program in the arts (SPA) for junior and senior high school (SHS).
The SPA, introduced in 2000, implemented a secondary education curriculum that was centered on the arts and allowed learners an opportunity to develop their talents in visual arts, music, theater, dance, media, and creative writing.
Estrada said the measure will boost the SPA to provide a continuous source of artists and leaders in the preservation and promotion of Philippine culture, arts, and creative industries.
Under the bill, a Special Program in the Arts Council shall be created and placed under the supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The Council will consult with creative industries to ensure that the programs, curriculum, and courses under the SPA are responsive to current and future trends. This will ensure the success of graduates, urge higher education institutions to offer scholarships and grants in creative arts courses, and encourage creative industries to employ SPA graduates.
The bill will also mandate the DepEd to formulate the academic curriculum and set the standards in the selection or qualification of schools with SPA. The DepEd shall also hire and retain experts in various creative arts domains to teach pertinent subjects in the curriculum.