The Philippine government has released updated guidelines for the special education fund, incorporating recent laws to tackle the country's literacy challenges. These changes expand allowable uses to include key educational programs and assessments. The move aims to improve learning outcomes through better local resource allocation.
In a joint circular, the Departments of Education, Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, and Finance have amended the guidelines governing the special education fund (SEF). This fund, derived from a one-percent additional tax on real property, now explicitly supports initiatives under the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, and the national feeding program to address the Philippines' literacy gap.
Local government units (LGUs) are required to base their SEF budgeting on school performance in assessments such as the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment, Philippine Informal Reading Inventory, and Rapid Mathematics Assessment. The guidelines also extend coverage to the alternative learning system, enabling broader support for learners and educational institutions.
Karol Mark Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), praised the update as a 'landmark joint circular' that will 'enable us to fix the foundations.' He emphasized its emphasis on enhancing learning outcomes beyond merely listing expenses. EDCOM 2 had previously highlighted issues like inequities and underutilization of the SEF.
To strengthen the fund's role, lawmakers including Rep. Roman Romulo, Rep. Jude Acidre, Sen. Bam Aquino, and Sen. Win Gatchalian have introduced bills to revise the Local Government Code. These proposals are prioritized under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council's common legislative agenda, signaling a push for more effective educational funding at the local level.