Senator Win Gatchalian has introduced a bill that seeks to incentivize private companies that help develop and modernize the country’s public education system.
Senate Bill No. 2731 or the Adopt-a-School Act of 2024) seeks to amend Republic Act No. (RA) 8525 (the Adopt-a-School Act of 1998) to strengthen linkages between educational institutions and the country’s industries, particularly in the employment and training of senior high school (SHS) graduates.
“Sa pag-angat natin sa kalidad ng edukasyon ng bansa, mahalagang katuwang natin ang pribadong sektor… Isinusulong nating palawakin at patatagin ang Adopt-a-School program upang mahikayat ang pribadong sektor na tulungan ang ating mga pampublikong paaralan,” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
To encourage private sector involvement in public education, the measure offers an additional deduction amounting to 50 percent of labor training expenses incurred for scholarships incurred for teachers’ scholarships and skills development of enterprise-based trainees as provided for under the CREATE Law.
Another incentive is an additional deduction amounting to 20 percent of salaries paid to SHS graduates employed.
Donations to public schools through the Adopt-a-School Program will also be exempt from customs duties, value-added tax, excise tax donor’s tax, and other fees.
The proposed measure allows individuals and entities, both local and foreign, to assist public early childhood, elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, Alternative Learning System (ALS), and higher education institutions.
Preference will be given to institutions in poorer areas with insufficient budget and many high-performing learnings from low-income backgrounds.IMT
