* Decentralization: RA 9155 pushes for decentralization of educational management. While the Department of Education (DepEd) sets the overall policies, the school itself gains more autonomy in its operations, curriculum implementation, and resource allocation. This increased autonomy puts the school at the forefront of delivering education.
* School as the basic unit: The law emphasizes the school as the basic unit of the educational system. All other components, from divisions to regional offices, support the school's primary function of educating students.
* Emphasis on school-based management: RA 9155 promotes school-based management (SBM), empowering school principals and teachers to make decisions that directly impact their students' learning environment. This strengthens the school's role as the primary actor in shaping educational outcomes.
* Focus on learner-centered education: The act's emphasis on a learner-centered approach necessitates the school as the crucial environment where this philosophy is enacted. The school is where the individualized learning processes, student support services, and teacher-student interactions take place.
In summary, while not explicitly stating "heart," RA 9155 structurally and philosophically positions the school as the central and most crucial unit within the formal educational system. The law's decentralization, emphasis on SBM, and focus on learner-centered education all contribute to this central role of the school.