Recognizing the plight of private schools amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) has allowed new grantees in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) Program coming from upper grade levels this coming school year.
(RIO DELUVIO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE)
Signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, DepEd issued department order no. 12 s. 2023 which outlined the interim guidelines for ESC Program for School Years (SYs) 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
Due to the pandemic, DepEd said it continues to receive requests from private schools to allow new ESC Program Grantees in the upper grade levels.
“Granting this request would unburden private junior high schools experiencing financial issues due to the decline in their enrollment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” DepEd said.
“In addition, allowing new ESC grantees in the upper grade levels will temper the decline in utilization of program funds,” it added.
DepEd noted that An ESC-participating school shall be allowed to have new ESC grantees in the higher grade levels or Grades 8 to 10 for SY 2022-2023 and SY 2023-2024 “provided the school has available Grade 7 slots.”
In the selection of grantees, DepEd said that transfer-in students from public high schools; non-ESC students in the same ESC-participating school whose families were significantly affected by the pandemic, and transfer-in students from non-ESC-participating schools should be prioritized.
“This Order shall apply only for SY 2022-2023 and SY 2023-2024,” DepEd said.
DepEd maintained that it continues to uphold the right of every Filipino to quality basic education by “providing access” --- whether through public or private educational institutions.
Under its constitutional mandate, DepEd said it maintains and supports a “complete, adequate, and integrated system of education” relevant to the needs of the people and society.
“As such, it exercises reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions in the basic education sector,” DepEd said.
In recognition of the complementary roles of public and private educational institutions in the educational system, DepEd said continues to implement several programs under the Government Assistance and Subsidies (GAS).
Through said programs, the DepEd provides financial support to ensure that private education remains a “viable option” for learners. This, DepEd added, also contributes to the “overall goal of improving access to quality basic education” in the country.
DepEd explained that given the unprecedented crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, existing policies on private school regulation as well as guidelines on GAS programs “must be reviewed, and if necessary, amended to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of private schools, learners, and teachers, in support of basic education continuity.”
The pandemic, DepEd added, also poses a “significant challenge” to the operations of private schools, and continued participation of schools, learners, and teachers in the GAS programs not only for the ESC Program but also for the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) Program, and Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP).
In 2022, DepEd issued interim guidelines on private school voluntary closures and participation in government assistance and subsidies programs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic effective SY 2021-2022 issued effective SY 2020-2021 only.
DepEd also allowed special provisions on private school voluntary closures and participation in government assistance and subsidies programs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic effective SY 2020-2021.
Pertinent provisions of the revised manual of regulations for private schools in basic education as well as the existing issuances on the GAS programs and extending assistance to beneficiaries of the GAS programs were also amended.