Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is proposing amendments to the Adopt-a-School Act of 1998 to enhance the connection between educational institutions and industries, particularly in the employment and training of senior high school (SHS) graduates.
The bill, which was filed by Gatchalian and former senator now Education Secretary Sonny Angara, seeks to expand and strengthen the Adopt-a-School program to encourage private-sector assistance in public education.
“As we raise the quality of the country’s education, the private sector is an important partner. Together with our Secretary of Education, we are pushing to expand and strengthen the Adopt-a-School program to encourage the private sector to help our public school,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
The proposed measure seeks an additional deduction of 50% of labor training expenses incurred for scholarships and skills development of enterprise-based trainees, as well as an additional deduction of 20% of salaries paid to SHS graduates employed.
Donations made to public schools under the Adopt-a-School Program will be exempted from customs duties, value-added tax, excise tax donor’s tax, and other fees.
The Adopt-a-School program allows Filipino or foreign individuals and entities to assist public early childhood, elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, Alternative Learning System (ALS), and higher education institutions, with preference given to institutions in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities and local government units with severe shortages, insufficient budget, and a large number of poor but high-performing learners.
Participants can assist in various aspects of the program, including teacher training, scholarships, construction of school facilities, school supplies, technical vocational livelihood tools, health and nutrition packages, and assistive devices for learners with disabilities.
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