Gatchalian wants probe on E-GASTPE’s implementation

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday filed a resolution seeking a probe on the implementation of the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act (E-GASTPE).

In filing Senate Resolution No. 925, Gatchalian highlighted the need to ensure that GASTPE programs are properly implemented with the aim of ensuring disadvantaged learners’ access to high-quality education.

He also pointed out that under the 2024 budget, a total of P40.48 billion was allocated to Gastpe programs.

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“Katuwang natin ang mga pribadong paaralan sa paghahatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon, ngunit tungkulin din nating tiyakin na nagagastos sa tamang paraan ang tulong pinansyal na hinahatid natin sa kanila,” said Gatchalian in a statement.

(We partner with private schools in delivering quality education, but it is also our responsibility to ensure that the financial assistance we provide to them is spent wisely.)

“Napapanahong suriin natin ang E-GASTPE law upang masuri natin kung paano magiging mas epektibo ang mga programa natin para sa mga pribadong paaralan,” he added.

(It is time to conduct a review of the E-GASTPE law to assess how we can make our programs for private schools more effective.)

Republic Act No. 8545 or E-GASTPE is a measure aimed at providing assistance to students in private schools at the high school, tertiary, and technical-vocational levels. Through this, the government shoulders the tuition and other fees of excess students in public schools who enroll in private schools contracted by the Department of Education.

The measure also paved the way for the development of the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP).

But Gatchalian noted several challenges hounding the implementation of GASTPE programs, citing a Commission on Audit 2019 Performance Audit Report, which showed reports of Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees billed under a specific school were found to be attending classes in a different school — while some grantees have not been attending classes or were double-listed.

The report added that some ESC slots have not been based on the pattern of public school congestion.

The COA also flagged that there were low participation and retention rates among SHS VP beneficiaries from public high schools. Participating schools in the SHS VP are also not required to undergo recertification to ensure quality education and minimum compliance. – With reports from Melanie Tamayo, INQUIRER.net Trainee

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