THE HOUSE Committee on Basic Education and Culture resumed deliberations on the measure that will expand the application of Government Assistance to students, teachers, and schools in Private Basic Education.

The panel, headed by Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, tackled unnumbered substitute bill to House Bills 928, 1723, 5589, 1585 and 7666.

The measure would expand the existing financial assistance program to cover 13 years of basic education, particularly kindergarten, elementary, junior high school, and senior high school in all private basic education institutions that implement the voucher system.

Romulo, author of HB 928, explained that schools would be qualified based on the quality of education they provide.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said that making the qualification outcome-based would level the playing field for all private educational institutions.

Romulo noted that committee members, through the Secretariat and in consultation with stakeholders, will re-draft the substitute bill to amend Section 8 on the Basic Education Voucher Program.

This is to clarify that 70 percent of the voucher amount will be allocated to salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; and 20 percent to the improvement and modernization of infrastructure and other facilities.

Romulo said that the panel is looking to revive the Bureau of Private Education under the Department of Education that would focus on the concerns of private educational institutions.