Ifugao school thanks DepEd for increasing subsidy to high school freshmen

By Vency D. Bulayungan

Thursday 24th of May 2012

KIANGAN, Ifugao, May 24 (PIA) -- The St. Joseph’s School (SJS) here is grateful to the national government thru the Department of Education (DepEd) for the increase in subsidy of high school freshmen enrolling in private high schools outside Metro Manila, under the government’s Education Service Contracting (ESC) program.

SJS Principal, Gemalyn Cantes said in a meeting of the Parents, Guardians Association (SJSPGA) that DepEd informed all private schools and all concerned that the subsidy for incoming high school freshmen in the province has been increased from P5,500 to P6,500 starting school year 2012-2013.

The subsidy per student in the National Capital Region is P10,000 per annum because of higher tuition charged by private secondary schools in Metro Manila.

"This is a big help to us, both the school and the parents, and we thank the government for this which we consider as a blessing," Cantes said.

Under the ESC, parents shoulder the balance in excess of the P6,500 subsidy. ESC is a major component of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).

The DepEd headed by Sec. Armin Luistro believes that the ESC is a way to decongest public schools and make learning more conducive; to help increase the enrollment of private schools, and likewise offer subsidy to teachers of private high schools who participate in the program.

Documents from the DepEd here show that GASTPE benefits both public and private schools while making education accessible to as many learners as possible.

The management of GASTPE is contracted to the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), a perpetual trust fund created by an agreement between the Philippine and United States governments. Luistro, as Education Secretary, chairs the FAPE.

Meanwhile, the DepEd is set to expand the coverage of ESC after the Education Voucher System (EVS) is phased out by school year 2014-2015 or as soon as the last batch of present beneficiaries graduates.

The EVS is a version of ESC, where a voucher is issued in the name of the student-beneficiary. Under it, the payment of subsidy under the ESC is channeled directly to the school.

EVS started in 2006 to increase enrollment in private high schools, which also need government assistance to maintain their viability and remain government partners in the delivery of education. (JDP/VDB- PIA CAR,Ifugao)