CONGRESS has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a measure expanding the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act, extending the Basic Education Voucher Program to qualified learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

The bill, a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), modernizes the nearly 40-year-old GASTPE framework by creating a more targeted, transparent and data-driven voucher system covering Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Principally authored by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairpersons Senators Bam Aquino and Joel Villanueva, and Representatives Roman Romulo and Jude Acidre, the measure seeks to help address overcrowding in public schools by utilizing available capacity in private schools.

Under the ratified measure, priority will be given to learners from congested public schools, those living in areas without nearby public schools, and communities facing severe classroom shortages.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will also establish a public dashboard showing participating private schools, available slots, tuition fees and voucher top-up requirements to help families make informed school choices.

The bill further mandates a Nationwide School Congestion Mapping and Strategic Allocation Framework and creates a Bureau of Private Education within DepEd to oversee government assistance programs for private basic education.

Aquino said the reform will give families more schooling options at an earlier stage while helping ease congestion in overcrowded public schools.

The reconciled measure now awaits the President’s approval.