A network of advocates called for the immediate expansion of the Government Assistance and Subsidies to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) to learners at the kinder and elementary levels. “Increasing voucher amounts and expanding the program can provide immediate relief to learners at a time when the education sector is hampered by high student dropouts and school closures,” the Student First Coalition said in a statement. “Providing vouchers to learners can address education gaps and spur learning recovery,” the group added. Student First Coalition is a network of advocates who believe that all students should have a choice on the type of education they receive. The group seeks the government's recognition to promote students' interests, ensuring their voices will be heard and their choices on the education that determines their future are guaranteed. Student First Coalition believed that this can be achieved through an “equitable and expanded” school voucher system. Early this week, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture (CBEC) deliberated on bills seeking to expand the E-GASTPE. One of the key provisions of the proposed legislation is a Basic Education Voucher Program, where vouchers will be provided to students from Kinder to Grade 12 to support their enrollment in their preferred schools, regardless of their economic background. The hearing, chaired by Rep. Roman Romulo, focused on appropriate and equitable voucher amounts. Rep. Stella Quimbo, member of the CBEC and Vice-Chairperson for the Committee on Appropriations, suggested that vouchers may account for inflation and the rising cost of living. Rep. Joey Salceda, Chairperson for the Committee on Ways and Means, suggested that it is an idea worth exploring, especially since E-GASTPE is one of the biggest programs of the Department of Education (DepEd). “The bill expanding vouchers is now being tackled with welcomed expediency,” the group said. Victor Limlingan, Chairman of Cristina Research Foundation and advocate of Student First Coalition, lauded the measure noting that is a “pro-poor policy that can address the learning crisis.” Given this, the Student First Coalition called on the House of Representatives for the immediate passage of the E-GASTPE to ensure that investments made in the education of Filipino youth would be “continued and strengthened” in the generations to come. “We believe an equitable and expanded E-GASTPE that serves the poorest and most vulnerable students is critical to addressing the learning crisis,” the group added.