Congress has ratified a measure expanding the government voucher program to cover qualified learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
The measure is aimed at giving families more schooling options while helping ease congestion in overcrowded public schools.
The Senate and House of Representatives ratified the reconciled version of the expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Under the measure, qualified learners may receive Basic Education Voucher Assistance to enroll in participating private schools, particularly those coming from congested public schools or areas without a nearby public school.
The Department of Education will also be required to establish a public dashboard showing participating private schools, available slots, tuition fees and any additional amount that families may have to pay.
The measure also calls for a nationwide school congestion mapping system to guide the allocation of vouchers and other government interventions.
It further creates a Bureau of Private Education within the DepEd to oversee government assistance programs for private basic education institutions.
“This measure is ultimately about our learners. No child should have to study in overcrowded classrooms simply because there is no available space in the public school nearest to them. By expanding vouchers to include Kindergarten and elementary learners, we are giving families more options much earlier, while making better use of existing capacity in private schools,” said EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Sen. Bam Aquino.
The ratified bill will now be submitted to the Office of President Marcos Jr. for his action.IMT
