Section 19Sec./Art. 19

Cooperatives in the Education System. The history, philosophy, concepts, values, principles and practices of cooperatives and their role in nation building, shall be part of the curriculum of both in formal and nonformal education.

Notwithstanding existing laws, memorandum orders and directives, cooperativism as a tool for self-empowerment and nation building shall be included in the curricula of senior students in all the secondary educational institutions and in the syllabus of any social and civic studies subject in the K to 12 level.

Cooperatives development and administration may be offered as a field of study in the baccalaureate, post baccalaureate and masteral programs in SUCs: Provided, That SUCs may also offer the courses on a nontraditional approach under the equivalency program of such SUCs accrediting the equivalent training that an officer has undertaken to the relevant subject offering in the curriculum: Provided, further, That in cases where the SUCs do not offer a separate academic program in cooperative development and administration, the SUCs shall include a three (3)-unit subject in the curricula of accountancy, agribusiness, agriculture, agricultural economics, business, community development, economics, education, environmental sciences, social sciences, political economy and other curricula that can be instrumental in the development of cooperatives.