Congress urged to expand special education fund

By: 11 years ago

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City council is calling on Congress to amend the Local Government Code and expand the Special Education Fund to include funding for alternative learning systems for out-of-school youth.

The city council urged the enactment of a law to amend Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code to boost the city government’s basic education programs.

In a resolution, Councilor Aly Medalla of the fifth district called particularly for the revision of Section 272, which deals with the purposes and application of the Special Education Fund.

Medalla’s measure is in line with City Ordinance SP-2269 or the Quezon City Basic Education Enhancement Program, signed by Mayor Herbert Bautista last March 18.

The SEF, taken from the additional one percent tax on real property, is one of the sources of local government funds for education services.

Section 272 of RA 7160 limits the allocation of the SEF to “the operation and maintenance of public schools, construction and repair of school buildings, facilities and equipment, educational research, purchase of books and periodicals, and sports development.”

Medalla, however, pointed out that the term “operation and maintenance of public schools” must be redefined to include allocations for alternative learning systems and the hiring of more non-teaching personnel.

The alternative learning systems are non-formal education methods for out-of-school youth and adults that allow them to attend classes once a week and study through modular lessons.

The ALS is not included in the SEF allocation because the fund is limited only to public schools that are part of the formal education system.

The City Council pointed out that school officials and teachers must attend more education seminars and trainings to improve the implementation of the new K-12 Basic Education Curriculum.

In big cities like Quezon City, the large school area and dense population of public schools also mean the hiring of more non-teaching personnel like janitors, utility workers and clerks, which is currently not covered by the SEF, the resolution added.