THE SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino recommended the establishment of a special National Teachers Trust Fund to help teachers and students.

The panel made the recommendation following its investigation of the procurement of laptops for teachers which it found to have been overpriced.

The 197-page committee report sought the recovery of the P979 million overpriced amount through the issuance of notice of disallowances by the Commission on Audit.

The amount to be recovered will be placed in a special trust fund for teachers.

The fund can be used for their medical needs as well as the educational needs of their children through a special scholarship program.

The committee report also contained recommendations for the abolition of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management.