The Philippine House of Representatives has approved two significant education bills: the Education Pathways Act and a bill governing school vouchers. These measures aim to provide students with greater educational choices and enhance the quality of education in both public and private institutions.
The House of Representatives took significant steps towards reshaping the Philippine education landscape by approving two crucial bills on third and final reading.
House Bill 11213, known as the Education Pathways Act, mandates that students, upon completing Junior High School, choose between two distinct educational pathways: the University Preparatory Program under the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Technical-Vocational Program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). The bill offers flexibility, allowing students who complete the technical-vocational program to pursue higher education through a ladderized education program.In a separate development, House Bill 11214, which governs the utilization of school vouchers, was also passed on third and final reading. This measure aims to provide financial assistance to qualified students, teachers, and schools attending private basic education institutions. The voucher program will cover all levels of basic education, from kindergarten to secondary school, and will be administered by the Department of Education. Private schools participating in the program are permitted to increase tuition fees, but a significant portion of the increase (70 percent) must be allocated to enhance the salaries and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel. The remaining 30 percent is designated for infrastructure improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational costs.The bill also proposes the establishment of a Teachers' Salary Subsidy Fund to provide direct financial support to teachers working in recognized private basic education schools. Furthermore, the passage of this bill will lead to the creation of the Bureau of Private Education (BPE) under the DepEd. Meanwhile, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) released a report highlighting critical areas for improvement within the DepEd's National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) and Catch-Up Fridays initiative. The report emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive policies and robust teacher training programs to effectively address the learning gaps exacerbated by the pandemic. The commission expressed concern over the lack of standardized assessments and support systems to enhance teachers' reading literacy skills. A concerning finding from the Comprehensive Reading and Literacy Assessment is that a significant percentage of Grade 1 to 3 students require varying levels of intervention to improve their reading abilities. EdCom 2 recommends ongoing teacher development, reduction in administrative burdens, and provision of necessary resources to bolster the effectiveness of the NLRP and Catch-Up Fridays
Education Pathways Act School Vouchers Technical-Vocational Education Deped Tesda National Learning Recovery Program Catch-Up Fridays Edcom 2 Philippine Education
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philippine Singer Launches Movement to Unite Filipinos Against China in West Philippine Sea DisputeRannie Raymundo, a popular Filipino singer, has joined forces with the Fraternal Order of Philippine Eagles to spearhead a nationwide movement aimed at rallying Filipinos in response to escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The WPS Eagles Movement seeks to foster patriotism, galvanize collective action, and counteract Chinese disinformation campaigns.
Read more »
Philippine Coast Guard Monitors Chinese Vessel in West Philippine SeaThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is closely watching a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel operating illegally off the Zambales coast in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The PCG deployed the BRP Gabriela Silang to keep a protective distance from the CCG vessel, preventing its approach to the Philippine coastline. Despite the CCG's radio challenges alleging a violation of maritime collision regulations, the PCG maintains that the core issue is the CCG's illegal presence in Philippine waters.
Read more »
Philippine Stock Exchange to Acquire Controlling Stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp.The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is reallocating P110 million from a 2018 stock rights offering to acquire a controlling stake in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDSHC). This move follows a series of share purchases by the PSE from other PDSHC stakeholders, aiming to consolidate the country's equities and fixed-income exchanges. The PSE's equity stake in PDSHC currently stands at 55.53 percent.
Read more »
Philippine Stock Exchange Reallocates Funds to Acquire Controlling Stake in Philippine Dealing SystemThe Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is using funds from a 2018 stock rights offering to acquire a controlling stake in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDSHC). This move consolidates the country's equities and fixed-income exchanges.
Read more »
Philippine Fishermen Sound Alarm Over US-Led Military Exercises in Philippine WatersFilipino fishermen express deep concerns over the environmental and social impacts of joint military exercises conducted by the United States in Philippine waters. They argue that these exercises disrupt their livelihoods, cause psychological trauma, and damage fragile marine ecosystems.
Read more »
Philippine Coast Guard Stands Firm Against Chinese Vessels in West Philippine SeaThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) asserts its authority in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), issuing radio challenges to Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels encroaching within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Read more »