House approves GMRC bill on third reading
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third reading a bill institutionalizing values education in the curriculum by incorporating Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) as a subject in kindergarten up to the Grade 3 level.
With 225 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstention, the lawmakers approved House Bill No. 5829, also called the Good Manners and Right Conduct Act.
Under the bill, GMRC shall be a part of the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao curriculum of the Department of Education’s K to 12 program and shall be taught as a separate subject for students in kindergarten up to Grade 3 level.
“The GMRC shall inculcate among the students the concepts of human dignity, respect for oneself, and giving oneself to others in the spirit of community, for the effective and holistic development of the decision-making skills of the child,” the bill states.
Among the focus of the curriculum are as follows:
- Caring for oneself
- Giving concern for others
- According proper respect to people
- Upholding discipline and order
- Cultivating sincerity
- Honesty
- Obedience
- Love for country
The bill states that the teaching method for the subject shall be actual or situational rather than conceptual so that students can directly relate to the lessons.
