‘Private school scholarship program needs to be expanded’

MANILA, Philippines — The government needs to include preschool and elementary students in the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) to thin out overcrowded public schools, the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) said over the weekend.

In a statement, PEAC member Bern Villamor said GASTPE – the country’s largest private school scholarship program – should be extended to Kindergarten to Grade 6 students amid the education crisis.

With the current situation, leaving public school students and teachers to deal with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, materials and equipment that lead to impaired learning and poor classroom conditions, Villamor said it was high time the government enabled private schools to absorb excess students.

“Expanding GASTPE to the elementary level will improve educational access, raise quality standards and save government funds by utilizing the spare capacity of private schools. This would also reduce the pressure on the Department of Education (DepEd) to rapidly build new schools,” said Villamor.

The GASTPE currently provides supplementary tuition fee assistance for high school students to allow them to pursue studies in private schools.

Education groups have long been calling on the government to expand the assistance program to Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.

PEAC, a trustee of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education, reported that as of school year 2023-2024, more than 2.2 million student grantees have received assistance.

However, PEAC said there are still more students in congested public schools that need help from the government.

A PEAC-commissioned study on “The Absorptive Capacity of Basic Education in the Philippines” covering nearly 28 million learners in school years 2018-2022 revealed that public schools are severely overcrowded, especially at higher grade levels.

Moreover, PEAC also urged the government to increase the amount of subsidies to GASTPE beneficiaries for junior and senior high schools.

Villamor explained that current GASTPE subsidies fail to cover all the fees that private schools charge, which necessitates the families of beneficiaries to pay top-ups, particularly in urban areas.

“By reallocating and optimizing resources, we estimate that nearly 900,000 more learners could be accommodated across both public and private schools,” Villamor said.

Villamor also highlighted the importance of encouraging private school learning, citing the findings of the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics National Report of the Philippines.

The data revealed that private schools consistently deliver higher-quality education as evidenced by scores that significantly outperformed public schools in the three literacy domains of reading, writing and mathematics.

“The evidence is clear: GASTPE provides cost-effective benefits that can significantly enhance our educational system. PEAC urges the government to fully appreciate the value of public-private collaboration in education, making decisions that prioritize the welfare of our learners and the elevation of our national education standards,” Villamor said.

Quality training

Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the government to initiate programs that would nurture great teachers by raising the quality of training for teachers.

“If we want this country to become truly great, we must focus on nurturing outstanding teachers, not just good ones,” Villanueva said during the 116th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine Normal University on Friday.

Villanueva also expressed concern about the state of Philippine education, which he views as critical to the country’s long-term success.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Year 1 Report and the 2022 PISA Report reveal significant deficiencies, including poor performance in reading, math and science, along with the highest rates of loneliness and bullying among Filipino students.

Villanueva said the reports also highlight a troubling trend: the Philippines has some of the weakest critical thinking skills in the world.

As the EDCOM 2 Commissioner, Villanueva is advocating for substantial reforms to improve the quality of teacher education and training.

“Research shows that the number one school-based factor in improving student success is a great teacher,” he emphasized.

Villanueva, together with fellow EDCOM 2 Commissioner Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, is championing Senate Bill 2733, which would allow dual citizens to be appointed as faculty, researchers and administrators in state universities and colleges.

This initiative aims to leverage global expertise and facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education.

Villanueva expressed belief that investing in exceptional teachers will pave the way for a brighter future for the Philippines.

“There is greatness in every Filipino. There is greatness in teaching. There are 1.2 million Filipino teachers, and I would say, it is a force to reckon with. A force to make our country great again,” he said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe