THE E-NET Coalition has urged the Senate to restore funding cuts made by the House of Representatives to key education programs under the proposed 2027 national budget, warning that reduced allocations could undermine efforts to support vulnerable and underserved learners.

The coalition expressed particular concern over proposed budget reductions for special needs education (SNED), Indigenous Peoples Education, and Madrasah education, which provide learning opportunities for students with diverse needs and backgrounds.

Based on its analysis, E-NET said at least P2.393 billion should be allocated for SNED to strengthen inclusive education services, improve inclusive learning resource centers, and provide accessible learning materials and support services for learners with special needs.

The coalition also called for P5.555 billion for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Lifelong Learning Program to expand educational opportunities for out-of-school youth and adults, working learners, and underserved communities.

It likewise proposed allocating P5 billion for Last Mile Schools, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), Indigenous Peoples Education, and Madrasah education to improve access to quality education in remote and underserved communities.

Another priority is the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, for which the coalition is seeking P42.95 billion to help struggling learners address learning gaps and improve their academic performance.

Beyond program funding, E-NET called for the creation of 15,000 additional teaching positions and the hiring of more school administrators to address staffing shortages in public schools.

The coalition also proposed allocating P4.8 billion for teaching overload compensation to ensure that teachers handling workloads beyond their regular duties receive appropriate additional compensation.

E-NET stressed that restoring the proposed allocations is essential to sustaining inclusive education programs and ensuring that learners from disadvantaged communities receive the support they need.

It warned that inadequate funding could further limit access to education for children with special needs, Indigenous learners, students in geographically isolated areas, and those who require additional academic assistance.

The coalition urged senators to prioritize these concerns during deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget to ensure that education funding responds to the needs of learners who are most at risk of being left behind.