In 1901, the Philippine Commission by virtue of the Republic Act No. 74 installed a highly centralized public school system. The implementation of this act created a heavy shortage of teachers, which paved the way for the coming of 600 teachers from USA- the Thomasites.

            On January 21, 1901, the Philippine Act No. 74 was passed. This was known as the Public School Law that paved the way for the establishment of a free public school system under the Department of Public Instruction. Under this act, the whole country was initially divided into 10 divisions.