By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) has increased the subsidy for Grade 7 learners covered by the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) both in Metro Manila and other regions effective School Year (SY) 2017-2018.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Order No. 01 series of 2018 dated January 19, announced an amendment to DepEd Order No. 20 series of 2017 of the Guidelines on the Implementation of the GASTPE and Teachers’ Salary Subsidy Programs in Junior High School (JHS) for SY 2017-2018.
Specifically, she said that there were changes in the amounts of the ESC grant for Grade 7 learners under Item VII.B of DO No. 20 s. of 2017.
An additional P2,000.00 will be given to Grade 7 grantees under the Education Service Contracting (ESC) in the National Capital Region (NCR).
DepEd has also added a new tier – Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) – for the location of the school in order to align the ESC subsidy scheme with that of the Senior High School (SHS) Program.
Meanwhile, P500.00 has been added to the subsidy for GASTPE grantees in regions or locations.