Gatchalian proposes institutionalizing holding local education summits
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill that seeks to institutionalize the holding of local education summits at least once a year to discuss issues, reforms, and programs.
In filing Senate Bill No. 155, or the proposed 21st Century School Boards Act, Gatchalian said it is imperative to strengthen the role of local government units (LGUs) in improving the delivery and quality of education.
The bill seeks to tap the local school board for additional assignments, one of which is the holding of education summits to consult community members on issues and guide the prioritization of the Special Education Fund’s (SEF) allocation.
“Mahalaga ang pagsasagawa ng education summit sa ating mga local government units upang masuri natin ang mga hamong kinakaharap (It’s very important for our local government units to conduct education summit so we can thoroughly scrutinize the challenges of the education industry),” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
“Magiging daan din ang mga summit na ito upang matalakay ang mga solusyon at mga repormang kinakailangan upang maabot natin ang bawat bata at matiyak na makatatanggap sila ng dekalidad na edukasyon (These summits will also allow us to discuss the solutions and reforms needed to reach every child and ensure they receive a quality education),” said Gatchalian.
The bill also proposes including the formulation and institution of education reforms as part of the functions of the local school board.
This would be measured through the participation rates of students; number of drop-outs and out-of-school youth; cohort survival rates; achievement scores in national tests or assessment tools and other standardized test scores; establishment of child development centers; and support to special needs education, Alternative Learning System (ALS), and the Parent Effectiveness Service Program, among others.
The bill also proposes to expand the use of the SEF to cover salaries and wages of teachers, non-teaching personnel, and pre-school teachers.
The broadened use of the SEF will also cover educational research, the acquisition of books, learning materials, and information and communications technology (ICT) packages, and the implementation of ALS program, among others.
The expanded use of SEF also includes the conduct of education summits, community town hall meetings, discussions, and consultations on information, issues, and concerns related to education.