Text of the provision
Art. 356. Every child:
(1) Is entitled to parental care;
(2) Shall receive at least elementary education;
(3) Shall be given moral and civic training by the parents or guardian;
(4) Has a right to live in an atmosphere conducive to his physical, moral and intellectual development.
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
Every child is entitled to parental care, to at least elementary education, to moral and civic training from the parents or guardian, and to live in an atmosphere conducive to his physical, moral and intellectual development.
These four guarantees run in the child’s favor and correspond to the duties imposed on the child in the following article, so the two provisions read together as a reciprocal relationship rather than a one-sided list of demands. The reference to “at least elementary education” sets a floor, not a ceiling — it does not prevent a parent or guardian from providing secondary or higher education where circumstances allow, only requires that schooling not fall below that minimum.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 309 — Disrespect to the Dead.
- Article 357 — Duties of Every Child.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.