institution. An older child may be taken into an institution for child care if a thorough social case study
indicates that he will derive more benefit therefrom.
Article 69. Day-care service and other substitute parental arrangement. - Day-care and other
substitute parental arrangement shall be provided a child whose parents and relatives are not able to
care for him during the day. Such arrangements shall be the subject of accreditation and licensing by
the Department of Social Welfare.
Article 70. Treatment of Child Under Foster Care. - A child under foster care shall be given, as much
as possible, the affection and understanding that his own parents, if alive or present, would or should
have extended to him. Foster care shall take into consideration the temporary nature of the placement
and shall not alienate the child from his parents.
TITLE III.
CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE AND EDUCATION
CHAPTER I
Access to Educational Opportunities
Article 71. Admission to Schools. - The state shall see to it that no child is refused admission in public
schools. All parents are required to enroll their children in schools to complete, at least, an elementary
education.
Article 72. Assistance. - To implement effectively the compulsory education policy, all necessary
assistance possible shall be given to parents, specially indigent ones or those who need the services of
children at home, to enable the children to acquire at least an elementary education. Such assistance
may be in the form of special school programs which may not require continuous attendance in school,
or aid in the form of necessary school supplies, school lunch, or whatever constitutes a bar to a child's
attendance in school or access to elementary education.
Article 73. Nursery School. - To further help promote the welfare of children of working mothers and
indigent parents, and in keeping with the Constitutional provision on the maintenance of an adequate
system of public education, public nursery and kindergarten schools shall be maintained, whenever
possible. The operation and maintenance of such schools shall be the responsibility of local
governments. Aid from local school board funds, when available, may be provided.
Article 74. Special Classes. - Where needs warrant, there shall be at least special classes in every
province, and, if possible, special schools for the physically handicapped, the mentally retarded, the
emotionally disturbed, and the specially gifted. The private sector shall be given all the necessary
inducement and encouragement to establish such classes or schools.
Article 75. School Plants and Facilities. - Local school officials and local government officials shall see
to it that school children and students are provided with adequate schoolrooms and facilities including
playground, space, and facilities for sports and physical development activities. Such officials should
see to it that the school environment is free from hazards to the health and safety of the students and
that there are adequate safety measures for any emergencies such as accessible exits, firefighting
equipment, and the like. All children shall have the free access to adequate dental and medical
services.