Marcos signs Gida Schools Act to fund remote public schools

A class is being held at the remote Owaog-Nebloc Elementary School in Botolan town, Zambales. (File photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law that institutionalizes government support for public basic education schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (Gida) and other underserved communities. This pertains to Republic Act 12321 or the Last Mile and Gida Schools Act signed on July 22. It shall take effect after 15 days upon publication on the Official Gazette, or on August 6. It is among the eight priority bills Marcos wanted the Congress to pass when he called for a special session on June 17. Article continues after this advertisement Under the law, last mile and the so-called Gida schools refer to those located in “remote, hard-to-reach, underserved, or economically disadvantaged communities where access to safe, adequate, and quality basic education is significantly constrained by limitations in infrastructure, resources, personnel, and prevailing social and environmental conditions.” Prior to the enactment of the law, there were 9,000 last mile schools in the country, attending to 2.5 million learners, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2). Half of these schools are located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Under the law, a public school may be classified as a Gida school if it is located in, or serves, communities affected by “conflict, insecurity, disaster vulnerability, or other conditions that significantly impede safe access to education.” Schools where more than 75 percent of learners are indigenous peoples may also qualify for inclusion. Article continues after this advertisement The law mandates that Gida schools shall be established within 3 kilometers within the homes of students that can be reached by walking or through provided public transportation. The measure tasks the DPWH with constructing access roads leading to the last mile and Gida schools. Article continues after this advertisement On the hand, the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology are mandated to provide electricity and internet connectivity. It also provides comprehensive support for teachers and non-teaching personnel assigned to these schools. Under RA 12321, the Department of Education shall develop and publish a National Last Mile and GIDA Schools Map within one year from the law’s effectivity. The map will serve as the basis for planning, resource allocation and program implementation. /apl The DepEd must also review and update the map at least once every three years to ensure that it remains responsive to changing conditions and evolving educational needs. School buildings and related facilities must comply with the minimum standards and specifications prescribed by the DepEd for public school infrastructure. “Such standards shall ensure that all school facilities remain safe, durable, accessible, climate and disaster-resilient, and suitable to the geographic, cultural and environmental conditions of the communities they serve,” the law states. READ: Legarda hails signing of GIDA Schools Act into law Sen. Loren Legarda, principal author and co-sponsor of the measure, hailed the signing of the RA 12321. “Distance, poverty and the lack of infrastructure should never stand in the way of every Filipino child’s right to quality education. This law shows that they are not alone and that their dreams matter,” she said in a statement. In another statement, Sen. Bam Aquino, principal sponsor of the bill, said the law will help bring safe and quality education closer to children in geographically isolated and far-flung areas of the country, while ensuring that teachers and local communities receive the support they need. “The enactment of this law is an important step toward ensuring that no obstacle will prevent any Filipino child from getting an education, no matter where they are in the Philippines,” Aquino said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “With this measure, we hope to put an end to situations where our students have to wade through rivers, walk several kilometers under the scorching sun, and cross dilapidated bridges before they can reach school,” he added. /apl