Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Build, Build, Build for education infra sought; Salceda says this will address dismal academic performance of students
Philippines
Build, Build, Build for education infra sought; Salceda says this will address dismal academic performance of students
Build, Build, Build for education infra sought; Salceda says this will address dismal academic performance of students
Published Feb 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Ben Rosario
Following the passage of measures aimed at reforming the country’s education system, the House of Representatives should pursue a comprehensive program to rebuild public school infrastructure.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda
(Office of Albay Rep. Joey Salceda / MANILA BULLETIN) Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, made the proposal as he sought the implementation of the Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda (CERA). Salceda said the improvement of the country’s educational infrastructure is the missing link in guaranteeing better education for schoolchildren. Known as the Lower House’s in-house economist, Salceda said the dismal performance of elementary schoolchildren as gauged by the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2018, makes it imperative for government to ensure better school infrastructure and educational materials for students. The proposed HELP (Health, Education, Lifeskills and People Services) for Schools Act , Salceda said, will guarantee that “we are able to provide better facilities for students without imposing excessive burdens on our limited fiscal resources.” “The last time we truly made an effort for a national infrastructure program devoted exclusively to education was a century ago, in 1907, with the Gabaldon Law, which built classrooms that are now heritage buildings across the country,” Salceda said. He stressed that the bill will be “our Gabaldon Law for the 21st Century.” “It recognizes that education is a whole-of-country effort, so it involves the national government, local governments, and the private sector” Salceda said. According to him, the bill proposes a “cost-effective Build, Build, Build for public schools." Under the bill, local and national agencies are encouraged to explore partnerships and shared-use agreements with schools. Public schools will also have access to an inventory of all government services, programs, and grants that they can avail of. Salceda’s proposal also mandates that evacuation centers be constructed in schools that are deemed safe, so that classes need not be disrupted during evacuation efforts. “Right now, we use classrooms as evacuation centers. Under shared-use arrangements, we will build evacuation centers that can be used as classrooms, not the other way around.”
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda (Office of Albay Rep. Joey Salceda / MANILA BULLETIN) Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, made the proposal as he sought the implementation of the Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda (CERA). Salceda said the improvement of the country’s educational infrastructure is the missing link in guaranteeing better education for schoolchildren. Known as the Lower House’s in-house economist, Salceda said the dismal performance of elementary schoolchildren as gauged by the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2018, makes it imperative for government to ensure better school infrastructure and educational materials for students. The proposed HELP (Health, Education, Lifeskills and People Services) for Schools Act , Salceda said, will guarantee that “we are able to provide better facilities for students without imposing excessive burdens on our limited fiscal resources.” “The last time we truly made an effort for a national infrastructure program devoted exclusively to education was a century ago, in 1907, with the Gabaldon Law, which built classrooms that are now heritage buildings across the country,” Salceda said. He stressed that the bill will be “our Gabaldon Law for the 21st Century.” “It recognizes that education is a whole-of-country effort, so it involves the national government, local governments, and the private sector” Salceda said. According to him, the bill proposes a “cost-effective Build, Build, Build for public schools." Under the bill, local and national agencies are encouraged to explore partnerships and shared-use agreements with schools. Public schools will also have access to an inventory of all government services, programs, and grants that they can avail of. Salceda’s proposal also mandates that evacuation centers be constructed in schools that are deemed safe, so that classes need not be disrupted during evacuation efforts. “Right now, we use classrooms as evacuation centers. Under shared-use arrangements, we will build evacuation centers that can be used as classrooms, not the other way around.”