Government Assistance to Private Basic Education Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -9 P4K9 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6728, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION ACT", AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to

"protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all." Further, Section 4(1), Article XIV, "recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational institutions." This proposed measure seeks to give full meaning to these constitutional imperatives by strengthening, rationalizing, and expanding the framework of government assistance to students and teachers in private basic education, as established under Republic Act No. 6728, as amended. The bill introduces critical reforms to address longstanding gaps in access, equity, and quality in basic education. By extending assistance to learners who wish to enroll in recognized private schools, it empowers families with greater educational choices while helping to decongest the public school system. At the same time, it reinforces support mechanisms for private basic education institutions and their

teaching and non-teaching personnel, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of educational outcomes. Central to the bill is the enhancement of the government's voucher assistance program, making it more inclusive, better targeted, and performance-driven. It expands coverage from kindergarten to senior high school, mandates equitable allocation of subsidies across regions, empowers student choice through a registry of participating recognized schools, and ensures that resources directly improve learning environments and teacher welfare. It also establishes clear accountability structures within the Department of Education to ensure effective and transparent implementation. Ultimately, this measure affirms the State's responsibility to uphold every Filipino child's right to quality education, regardless of where they study. By reinforcing the partnership between the public and private sectors in delivering basic education, the bill contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable education system. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 WL-9 PACO First Regular Session SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6728, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION ACT", AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Government Assistance

2 to Private Basic Education Act".

Sec. 2. Section 2 of R.A. No. 6728, as amended, is hereby further amended to

read as follows: "Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State [in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution,] to PROTECT AND promote [and make quality education accessible to all Filipino citizens] THE RIGHT OF ALL CITIZENS TO QUALITY EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS, AND SHALL TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MAKE SUCH EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. AS PART OF ITS MANDATE, IT IS THE STATE'S POLICY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A SYSTEM OF SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS, SUBSIDIES, AND OTHER INCENTIVES WHICH SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO DESERVING

STUDENTS, AS DETERMINED BY THE GUIDELINES, IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED. LIKEWISE, the State [also hereby] recognizes the complementary roles of public and private educational institutions in the educational system and the invaluable contribution that the private schools have made and will make to education. [For these purposes, the State shall provide the mechanisms to improve quality in private education by maximizing the use of existing resources of private education, recognizing in the process the government's responsibility to provide basic elementary and secondary education, post secondary vocational and technical education and higher education as having priority over its other functions. "Elementary education is the first six (6) years of basie education, excluding pre school and grade seven, the completion of which is attested by a certificate issued by or with permission of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Secondary education is the next four (4) years of basic education, the completion of which is attested by a high school diploma issued by or with permission of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports "Post secondary education may be education and training in non degree vocational and technical courses offered in post- secondary vocational and technical institutions or education in degree courses offered by higher educational institutions, the completion of which are attested by a certificate or diploma issued by or with permission of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), respectively.]

Sec. 3. A new Section 3 is hereby inserted into the same Act to read as follows:

SECTION 3. COVERAGE. - THIS ACT SHALL COVER ALL

PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS THAT RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF VOUCHERS

FOR QUALIFIED STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS. THIS COVERS ALL THE YEARS OF BASIC EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE EXTENDED ONLY TO CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Sec. 4. Section 3 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 4 and further

amended to read as follows: "Section [3] 4. Criteria for VOUCHER Assistance. - The programs for VOUCHER assistance shall be based on a set of criteria which shall include, among others, THE FOLLOWING: (a) CRITERIA FOR STUDENTS. THE VOUCHER ASSISTANCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS AND PRIORITIZES THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND UNDERPRIVILEGED, OR THOSE BELONGING TO THE BOTTOM FIRST TO FIFTH INCOME DECILES, AS DETERMINED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY. THE PRIORITY STUDENTS SHALL RECEIVE A HIGHER VOUCHER AMOUNT AS DETERMINED BY THE BASIC EDUCATION ASSISTANCE COUNCIL (BEAC). (b) CRITERIA FOR SCHOOLS. THE PARTICIPATING PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS SHALL RECEIVE ASSISTANCE BASED ON QUALITY ASSURANCE UNDER

SECTION 6 OF THIS ACT, AND THE GEOGRAPHIC

SPREAD AND SIZE OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT, AS LIKEWISE DETERMINED BY THE BEAC, EXCEPT SCHOOLS WITH GAPS IN RESOURCES AND FACILITIES WHICH ARE LOCATED IN GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AND DISADVANTAGED AND CONFLICTED-AFFECTED AREAS, OR GIDCA SCHOOLS. PRIVATE SCHOOLS SHALL UNDERGO THE PROCESS OF RECOGNITION AND PERIODIC ASSESSMENT TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE

IN THE PROGRAMS FOR VOUCHER ASSISTANCE. [tuition fees charged by the schools, the socioeconomic needs of each region giving priority to the Secial Reform Agenda (SRA) provinces, overall performance of the schools, the academie qualifications and the financial needs of the students and the teachers and the financial needs of the schools, as well as the geographic spread and size of student population. "In addition to the foregoing criteria, within such reasonable time as the respective State Assistance Council may determine, student grantees under the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program shall be enrolled in schools which have accredited programs or are applying for accreditation as may be recognized by the respective State Assistance Council. "Preference shall be given to students whose family income is not more than Seventy two thousand pesos [P72,000.00] or such amounts as may be determined by the respective councis, as defined hereinafter. "For purposes of this Act, programs of assistance to students and teachers of private post secondary vocational and technical institutions and higher educational institutions shall likewise be extended to students and teachers of community colleges in degree and non degree programs. Implementation of the program shalt encourage students to undergo post secondary vocational and technical and higher education courses in the same region where their families reside "The programs of assistance under this Act shall be extended only to students who are citizens of the Philippines. "The State Assistance Council, jointly with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the CHED and the TESDA shalt formulate measurement standards for the evaluation of the quality of courses as well as the standing and status of the recipient institutions.

"Within five [5] years from the approval of this Act, the assistance shall be given to schools: Provided, That the present allocation of the tuition fee and other income of the schools shall be used at the same proportion and allocation as provided by law.]

Sec. 5. Section 4 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 5 and further

amended to read as follows: "Section [4] 5. Forms of Assistance. - Assistance to private education shall consist of assistance to students and assistance to teachers. The following are forms of assistance to students in private education: (1) Tuition fee supplements for students in private high schools, including students in vocational and technical courses; [(2) High School Textbook Assistance Fund: Provided, That the textbook assistance per student in private high schoels shall be determined by the council and shall not exceed what students in public high sehools are provided on a per student basis under a comprehensive textbook program of the Secondary Education Development Program [SEDP]: Provided, further, That the textbook assistance shall be granted only to beneficiaries of tuition fee supplements and educational service contracting scheme provided in this Act; (3) Expansion of the existing Educational Service Contracting [ESC] Scheme;] (4) The voucher system of the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program [PESFA]; (5) Scholarship grants to students graduating as valedictorians and salutatorians from secondary schools; (6) Tuition fee supplements to students in private colleges and universities; and

(7) Education Loan Fund. The following are forms of assistance to teachers and faculty in private education: (1) In-service training fund for teachers in private high schools; and (2) College Faculty Development Fund.

Sec. 6. Section 5 (Tuition Fee Supplements for Students in Private High Schools)

of the same Act, as amended, is hereby deleted.

Sec. 7. Section 6 (High School Textbook Assistance Fund) of the same Act, as

amended, is hereby deleted, and replaced with a new Section 6 to read as follows:

SECTION 6. EMPOWERING STUDENT CHOICE. - THE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) SHALL CREATE A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE, PRACTICAL ONLINE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO SELECT THEIR PREFERRED SCHOOLS FROM A REGISTRY OF PARTICIPATING RECOGNIZED SCHOOLS, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF SLOTS. THE REGISTRY OF PARTICIPATING RECOGNIZED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS SHALL INCLUDE DETAILED SCHOOL INFORMATION, SUCH AS LOCATION, NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SLOTS, NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER CLASSROOM AND LEVEL, EXTRA- CURRICULAR PROGRAMS, CURRENT TUITION FEES, AND TOP-UP REQUIRED IN CASES WHERE THE VOUCHER AMOUNT IS LESS THAN THE TUITION FEE. IT SHALL ALSO PROVIDE HISTORICAL DATA ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, INCLUDING TRANSITION RATES PER KEY STAGE, RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (NAT), LITERACY AND NUMERACY ASSESSMENTS, AND COMPARISONS AGAINST NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL BENCHMARKS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REGISTRY SHALL INDICATE

SCHOOL FEATURES THAT MAY AID STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN MAKING INFORMED CHOICES, SUCH AS FAITH- BASED ORIENTATION, SPECIAL CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, AND OTHER DISTINCTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PROMINENTLY DISPLAY THEIR LATEST PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, INCLUDING NAT SCORES AND OTHER KEY METRICS, WITHIN THEIR SCHOOL PREMISES.

Sec. 8. Section 7 (Expansion of the Existing Educational Service Contracting

12 (ESC) Scheme) of the same Act, as amended, is hereby deleted, and replaced with a new Section 7 to read as follows:

SECTION 7. QUALITY ASSURANCE. - THE DEPED

SHALL ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN A SYSTEM AND MECHANISM FOR MONITORING PROGRAM OUTCOMES TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PARTICIPATING RECOGNIZED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS COVERS THE FOLLOWING AREAS: (a) IMPROVED STUDENT PERFORMANCE. APPROPRIATE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND OUTCOME OF THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES (GAS) PROGRAMS, INCLUDING YOUTH LITERACY RATES, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT SCORES, AMONG OTHERS. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TESTS AND ALL NATIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATIONS GENERALLY GIVEN BY THE DEPED SHALL BE ADMINISTERED TO ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS IN ALL PARTICIPATING PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS;

(b) IMPROVED STUDENT OUTCOMES. TRACER SYSTEM TO COLLECT AND EVALUATE THE CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT PATH OF ITS GRADUATES; (c) SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATING THE MEAN, MEDIAN AND MODE OF THE SCORES OF THE STUDENTS IN THE NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS, AND SUCH OTHER MEASURES OF QUALITY EDUCATION DELIVERY; AND (d) PRIORITY SUBSIDY FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS. DISTRIBUTION OF THE GAS PROGRAMS WHILE ENSURING THAT FUNDING IS EQUITABLY ALLOCATED FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF PRIORITY GROUPS.

Sec. 9. A new Section to be denominated as Section 7-A is hereby inserted into

the same Act to read as follows:

SECTION 7-A. OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE. - THE

FOLLOWING SHALL CONSIST OF ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM UNDER THIS ACT. THE FORMS OF ASSISTANCE GRANTED TO TEACHERS IN THE PARTICIPATING RECOGNIZED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS INCLUDE: (a) IN-SERVICE TRAINING FUND FOR TEACHERS IN PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS; (b) SCHOLARSHIPS FOR QUALIFIED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS ENROLLED IN QUALITY GRADUATE PROGRAMS; AND (c) PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT-FUNDED IN- SERVICE TRAINING FOR BASIC EDUCATION TEACHERS.

THE DEPED MAY ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALIFIED RECOGNIZED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS TO COVER THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF SCHOOL OPERATION: (a) INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT; (b) ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT; (c) HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT; (d) CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT; (e) RESEARCH AND PLANNING; AND (f) FACILITIES AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. CONSISTENT WITH SEC. 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533, OR THE "ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION ACT OF 2013", THE DEPED, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), MAY DEVELOP OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS BASED ON THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

Sec. 10. A new Section to be denominated as Section 7-B is hereby inserted

into the same Act to read as follows:

SECTION 7-B. BASIC EDUCATION VOUCHER

PROGRAM. - UNDER THE BASIC EDUCATION VOUCHER PROGRAM, KINDERGARTEN, ELEMENTARY, AND SECONDARY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN RECOGNIZED PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS CHARGING SCHOOL FEES SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH VOUCHERS IN SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPED: PROVIDED, THAT THE AMOUNT SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE DEPED: PROVIDED, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHALL

REIMBURSE THE VOUCHERS FROM THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE SUBMISSION OF COMPLETE DOCUMENTS, AS REQUIRED BY THE BEAC, TO THE DEPED. THE BUDGET FOR THE BASIC EDUCATION VOUCHER PROGRAM SHALL BE EQUITABLE ALLOCATED AND DISTRIBUTED AMONG ALL REGIONS INCLUDING THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARMM) BASED ON OFFICIAL DATA SOURCES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONGESTION DATA AND OPEN SEATS, GIVING PRIORITY TO UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS. PURSUANT TO SECTION 2(V), ARTICLE V OF THE BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW, THE BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT SHALL EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY OVER EDUCATION FOR THE AREAS UNDER THE BARMM AND WILL DIRECTLY IMPLEMENT THE SAME PROGRAM TO BE CHARGED AGAINST THEIR BLOCK GRANT. THE DEPED SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GAS PROGRAM, WHEN NECESSARY. SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE BASIC EDUCATION VOUCHER PROGRAM MAY INCREASE TUITION ON THE CONDITION THAT SEVENTY PERCENT (70%) OF THE AMOUNT OF THE TUITION INCREASES SHALL GO TO THE PAYMENT OF SALARIES, WAGES, ALLOWANCES, AND OTHER STATUTORY BENEFITS OF TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL, EXCEPT ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE SCHOOL, AND MAY BE USED TO COVER SALARY INCREASE AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS EXISTING OR IN FORCE AT THE TIME WHEN THIS ACT IS APPROVED AND

MADE EFFECTIVE. AT LEAST TWENTY PERCENT (20%) OF THE TUITION INCREASES SHALL GO TO THE IMPROVEMENT OR MODERNIZATION OF BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, LIBRARIES, LABORATORIES, GYMNASIA AND SIMILAR FACILITIES AND TO THE PAYMENT OF OTHER COSTS OF OPERATION. FOR THIS PURPOSE, SCHOOLS SHALL MAINTAIN A SEPARATE RECORD OF ACCOUNTS FOR ALL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT, ANY TUITION INCREASE, AND THE DETAILED DISPOSITION AND USE THEREOF, WHICH RECORD SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PERIODIC INSPECTION AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPED.

Sec. 11. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as

follows: "Section 12. In-service Training Fund OR Inset Fund. - For the purpose of improving the quality of teaching in private [secondary] BASIC education, there is hereby established in the Department of EducationL, Culture and Sports] an Inset Fund to provide for TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR the upgrading of knowledge and teaching competencies in critical subject areas and for the modernization of teaching techniques and strategies, including training [in] ON the use of computers and of other multi- media educational technologies to assist instruction: Provided, [That the Inset Fund shall be available only to qualified licensed teachers in participating private high schools as determined by the State Assistance Council: Provided, further,] That the amount of Inset Fund available to private [secondary] BASIC education shall not exceed that available to public [secondary] BASIC education [on a] AS per capita basis: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE TRAINING PROGRAMS SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE DEPED.

Sec. 12. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as

follows:

"Section 14. Teachers' Salary Subsidy Fund. - A Teachers' Salary Subsidy Fund is hereby established in the [DECS] DEPED to grant government subsidy to teachers in RECOGNIZED private [high] BASIC EDUCATION schools participating in the programs of assistance [provided] UNDER in this Act: Provided, [That the total monthly salary which includes the subsidy to be received by such private high school teachers shall not be more than eighty percent (80%) of the salary of his counterpart in the public sector: Provided, further, That the amount of monthly subsidy shall not exceed the amount of any monthly salary increase that teachers in public high schools shall after the effectivity of this Act hereinafter receive: Provided, further, That private high school teachers qualified to receive subsidy under this Act are duly licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission: Provided, further,] That the government shall provide [them] THE TEACHERS with [a voucher for the] salary subsidy, TO BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPED, which shall be [reimbursed directly to the teachers] DISBURSED within sixty (60) days after the close of the school year upon submission of proof of qualification and actual teaching service [in a] DIRECTLY TO THE CONCERNED participating private [high] BASIC EDUCATION schoolS: Provided, further, That the present allocation out of increases from tuition and other income shall be maintained: Provided, finally, That [in case of insufficiency of funds, priority shall be given to married teachers supporting a family] THE TEACHER'S SALARY SUBSIDY RECEIVED BY THE TEACHER SHALL FORM PART OF THE EXCLUSIONS FROM TAXABLE GROSS INCOME IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 32(B)(7)(E) OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED.

Sec. 13. A new Section to be denominated as Section 14-A is hereby inserted

into the same Act to read as follows:

SEC. 14-A. CREATION OF THE BUREAU OF PRIVATE

EDUCATION. - THE BUREAU OF PRIVATE EDUCATION (BPE) UNDER THE DEPED SHALL BE CREATED TO SERVE AS THE FOCAL OFFICE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION, AND REGULATION OF ALL MATTERS RELATING TO PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INCLUDING INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES. IT SHALL BE HEADED BY A BUREAU DIRECTOR. IT SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND FUNCTIONS: (a) MONITOR AND ASSESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OF THE POLICIES, PLANS, AND PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPED AS RECOMMENDED BY BPE; (b) SET AND ENFORCE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING, SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEARING; (C) ENSURE THAT THE ACTIVITIES, EFFORTS, AND PERFORMANCE OF PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHALL MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY; (d) ADMINISTER AND IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOLS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION; (e) ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE PRESSING NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND

TEACHERS, AND TO PROVIDE LEARNING SOLUTIONS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES; (f) MONITOR AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE OF PRIVATE BASIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO THE PROMULGATED RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE DEPED IN ALL MATTERS CONCERNING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, INCLUDING TUITION FEE INCREASES; AND (g) SUCH OTHER POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.

Sec. 14. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as

follows: "Section 15. Program Administration [Rules and Regulations) AND IMPLEMENTATION. - The [State Assistance Council] BEAC shall be responsible for policy guidance and direction, monitoring and evaluation of new and existing programs, [and the promulgation of the rules and regulations, while the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the TESDA and the CHED] WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES SERVICE (GASS) UNDER THE BPE shall be responsible for the day to day administration and [program] implementation [for] ON the programs of assistance to private [secondary] BASIC education. [- post-secondary vocational and technical education and higher education, respectively. Likewise, it may engage the services and support of any qualified government or private entity for its implementation.] [The State Assistance Council, hereinafter known as the Council, shall be headed by the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as chairperson, the chairperson of the CHED and the Director General of the TESDA as co chairpersons, with representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department

of Budget and Management, the Department of Science and Fechnology, and representatives from duly organized nationwide associations of teachers, students, parents, and school administrators concerned with secondary, post-secondary vocational and technical education and higher education as members. The last three [3] members shall be appointed by the Counci upon the recommendation of their respective sectors for a term of one [1} school year subject to re appointment for a maximum term of four {4] school years. A representative each from the Committees on Education of both Houses of Congress shall be designated resource persons to the Councit. "The Council shall meet, from time to time, as the need arises, to assess the effectivity of the programs and to ensure that the secondary schools, pest secondary vocational and technicat institutions and higher educational institutions where student recipients are enrolled continue to provide quality education. For this purpose, the Council shall establish criteria, to determine which secondary schools, pest secondary vocational and technical institutions and higher educational institutions may continue to enrol students and teachers/faculty as recipients of government assistance under this Act,] THE BEAC SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPED, AS CHAIRPERSON, AND THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT (DEPDEV) AND SECRETARY OF THE DBM AS MEMBERS. THE ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRPERSON SHALL POSSESS THE RANK OF AN UNDERSECRETARY WHILE THE ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEMBERS SHALL POSSESS THE RANK OF NOT LESS THAN AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN ORDER TO SECURE A QUORUM.

THE BEAC SHALL MEET, FROM TIME TO TIME, AS THE NEED ARISES, TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE PROGRAMS UNDER THIS ACT AND TO PROPOSE TO CONGRESS OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS. THE GASS SHALL SERVE AS THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GAS PROGRAMS UNDER THIS ACT. THE DEPED MAY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A THIRD PARTY CO-IMPLEMENTOR OF THE GAS PROGRAM UNDER THIS ACT.

Sec. 15. Penalties. - In case of violation of this Act by a private school, the

DepEd may bar, after due process, such school from participating in or benefiting from the programs of this Act, and from other programs of the Deped, without prejudice to administrative and criminal charges that may be filed against the school or its responsible officers under existing laws.

Sec. 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation

of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DepEd. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. To ensure the effective allocation of funds, the deped shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of the program's impact, including its effects on school congestion, student learning outcomes, and the efficiency of targeting beneficiaries. The results of such assessments shall be considered in the determination of future appropriations and program adjustments.

Sec. 17. Transitory Provision. - Subject to the availability of funds, the

implementation of the provisions stipulated in this Act for the kindergarten and elementary levels shall gradually commence in school year 2024-2025, as may be determined by the DepEd.

Sec. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

the approval of this Act, the DepEd shall, in consultation with the DEPDev, the DBM, and other concerned stakeholders from the national associations of private basic

1 education institutions, promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 20. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

7 order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 8 Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 21. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the implementing

rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,