Gatchalian seeks expanded LGU role in basic education

Various local government units should actively involve themselves in further upgrading and improving the quality of education in the country, Senator Win Gatchalian said Friday.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, called on the LGUs to expand their participation in making sure that each learner in their respective localities could acquire quality education.

The lawmaker earlier filed the Senate Bill 155, also known as the 21st Century School Boards Act, seeking for an expanded local school board and its responsibilities.

The bill also proposed the extensive formulation of policies focusing on education quality.

Gatchalian likewise called for the expanded use of the Special Education Fund to support the local school board in its additional role.

Under the Local Government Code or the Republic Act 7160, the SEF is allotted to the local school boards for the operation and maintenance of public schools and the construction and repair of school buildings.

Gatchalian, a former three-term mayor of Valenzuela City, has emphasized that LGUs "have greater agility to respond to challenges on the ground."

"Dahil mas malapit ang mga LGU sa ating mga kababayan at mas nauunawaan nila ang mga agarang pangangailangan pagdating sa edukasyon, isinusulong natin ang pagpapalawak ng responsibilidad ng ating mga local school board," he said.

SB 155 mandates the expanded local school board to introduce programs whose success indicators will include, among others, the participation rate of students, number of dropouts and out-of-school youth, achievement scores measured by national tests or assessment tools, the establishment of child development centers, support to special needs education, the Alternative Learning System and the parent effectiveness service program.

Gatchalian also rallies for the inclusion of salaries of teachers and non-teaching personnel in public schools, salaries of preschool teachers, capital outlay for pre-schools, operation and maintenance of ALS programs, teachers and non-teaching personnel; and honorarium and allowances for additional services rendered outside of regular school hours, among others, in the use of SEF.

He also filed SB 209 or Basic Education and Early Childhood Education Alignment, which seeks to impose greater responsibilities on LGUs in the implementation of early childhood care and development programs.