Photo courtesy of Senator Francis Pangilinan/Facebook.
Senator Francis Pangilinan filed a measure seeking to create a voucher program for students from low- and middle-income households attending private schools.
Senate Bill No. 1841, or the “Private Education Voucher Expansion (PEVE) Act,” aims to extend benefits to kindergarten through senior high school students enrolled in private schools due to overcrowding in public schools.
The bill proposes repealing certain provisions of Republic Act No. 8545, the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, to allow broader coverage.
The program would provide vouchers to students from middle-income families, as classified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), who are enrolled in public schools deemed congested by the Department of Education (DepEd), or who live in areas without nearby public schools but wish to attend private basic education institutions.
Students identified as the most vulnerable and underprivileged would receive higher voucher amounts, with allocations determined by the Basic Education Assistance Council.
Private schools participating in the program would receive support based on quality assurance standards, geographic location, and total student enrollment.
The Department of Education has previously addressed classroom shortages by leasing temporary classrooms, allowing schools to accommodate additional students while permanent facilities are under construction.
Leased classrooms are refurbished and repurposed to provide a cost-effective solution in areas where land availability restricts the expansion of public school facilities.