BATANGAS 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto has sought the passage of a bill that aims to convert all public elementary schools into integrated schools offering complete basic education.

In pushing for House Bill 4372 or the proposed Integrated Public Schools Acts, Santos-Recto cited the alarming increase of elementary graduates who are unable to pursue secondary education because of the limited number of high schools in their communities.

“Almost all barangays in the country have at least one elementary school as opposed to high schools which are usually found only in urban areas and population centers,” she said in her explanatory note.

The lawmaker pointed out that there is only one public high school for every five elementary schools.

“Students are in need of an accessible high school within their community. The government should pay immediate attention and address the gross shortage of public secondary schools to reduce the number of out-of-school youths in the country,” she said.

House Bill 4372 mandates the conversion of public elementary schools into integrated schools that will offer complete basic education.

Under the measure, the Department of Education shall be responsible in developing a school integration plan to complete the conversion of all elementary schools within 10 years.