DepEd hikes funding of students in private schools

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has increased its subsidy for students covered by the Government Assistance for Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) outside Metro Manila.

"Our mandate is to provide every Filipino child with access to quality education. The decision to increase the tuition subsidy under the Education Service Contracting (ESC) is part of our continuing thrust to democratize access to quality education across the country," Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.

From the P6,500 subsidy last year, DepEd has increased it to P7,500 per student per year in participating schools outside Metro Manila this school year 2014-2015.

ESC is a scheme under the GASTPE wherein the government subsidizes the tuition fee of students who want to pursue secondary schooling in private schools. It is jointly implemented by DepEd and the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

DepEd has increased the number of slots available for students to give them further opportunities.

DepEd, through the ESC, will subsidize almost a million students from Grades 7 to 10 for school year 2014-2015. The Department covered more than 800,000 students under ESC last year.

“ESC is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to maintain the viability of private education as a key partner in the delivery of quality basic education to the Filipino learners,” Luistro said.

He added that DepEd recognizes the complementary role of private schools in delivering education to the Filipinos.