MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading Senate Bill (SB) 1981 or the proposed Basic Education Voucher Program Act (BEVPA) seeking to decongest public schools.
SB 1981 also aims at expanding access to education and strengthen safeguards against corruption through a unified voucher system for basic education.
Sen. Bam Aquino, SB 1981 author and sponsor, said the measure aims to address classroom shortages in public schools nationwide by granting students educational vouchers that will allow them to transfer to participating private schools.
“The aim of this bill is to reduce overcrowding in public schools through private education vouchers,” Aquino said in a statement.
He cited findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education showing that the country faces a shortage of at least 165,000 classrooms, with many schools experiencing overcrowding, shifting classes, and unsafe learning conditions.
“This is an important step toward addressing the crisis in our education system… Let us ensure that no child is left behind in our country,” the senator said.
Under the bill, a nationwide voucher program will be established covering all levels of basic education from Kindergarten to Grade 12, allowing students from congested public schools to enroll in participating private schools.
Priority beneficiaries include students from low-income households, poor families, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, indigenous peoples, learners with disabilities, and those under foster care.
“This program is important because it directly helps families, especially students who need special education,” Aquino said.
SB 1981 also includes provisions to prevent fraud and abuse, including penalties for violations and safeguards to eliminate ghost beneficiaries.
“We will ensure that there are no more ghost students and no one can take advantage of the system. What our students need is education, not corruption,” Aquino said.
He said the bill forms part of a broader strategy to address the country’s education crisis by complementing classroom construction efforts and strengthening the role of private schools.
