THE KABATAAN Partyllist on Thursday consulted with the administrators of Higher Education Institutions on the different issues concerning the education sector.

The consultation attended by different heads of HEIs focused on the prospects of providing financial aid to students, academic freedom as well as the steps needed to be taken for safe face-to-face classes.

HEI administrators also opposed the tax rate hike imposed on private educational institutions. They also sought the speedy disbursement and release of funds for the Tertiary Education Subsidy program and other student financial assistance programs.

To uphold the interests of the education sector, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago earlier filed House Resolution 1817 which urges the Commission on Higher Education to review the guidelines and mechanisms for distance learning amid the Covid19 pandemic and to formulate concrete steps to prevent the massive dropout and learning loss.

The resolution also aims to reassess the educational system given the major difficulties faced by teachers and students, such as internet connectivity and lack of infrastructure to support distance learning.

Elago, along with several lawmakers, also filed House Bill 9494 seeking to provide financial aid to students.

“Students are experiencing difficulties as to how they can continue to fund their education because their parents are unemployed, underemployed, or receiving meager wages,” Elago said.