TO HELP local government units (LGUs) enhance the delivery and quality of education in their communities, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is renewing his push to broaden the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF).

Gatchalian reiterated his proposal following the Department of Education’s move to optimize the SEF to address key gaps, including the construction of additional classrooms, provision of improved learning materials, and stronger support for teachers and learners.

Under the proposed 21st Century School Boards Act, or Senate Bill No. 53, the SEF may also be used to cover salaries and wages of teachers, non-teaching personnel, as well as child development teachers and workers.

The measure further seeks to expand allowable SEF expenditures to include the procurement of books, learning materials, and information and communication technology packages; the establishment and maintenance of extension or remedial classes; and the granting of honoraria and allowances to teaching and non-teaching personnel for services rendered beyond regular school hours, among others.

“Kung mapapalawak natin ang paggamit ng SEF, matutulungan natin ang mga LGUs na iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa kanilang mga lugar,” Gatchalian said.

The proposed bill also mandates Local School Boards to formulate policies, reforms, and programs, with performance measured through key indicators such as National Achievement Test scores, student participation rates, and dropout rates.