A group of educators hailed the government’s “statement of intent” to address the education crisis by allocating the largest share of the proposed 2022 national budget to the education sector.
“The education sector getting the largest share in the proposed budget signals the government’s intent to deal with the crisis. Magandang farewell gift ito ng administrasyon para sa ikabubuti ng sektor,” said Marie Paz T. Abante, president of the Philippine Educators Alliance for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Party-list.
The education sector is expected to get ₱773.6 billion, or around 15.4 percent of the P5.024-trillion 2022 national expenditure program.
This year, the sector, which includes the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and state universities and colleges, received P751.7 billion.
Abante, however, cautioned that this might still not be enough to thoroughly address education gaps.
“Ultimately, our aim should still be to allocate 6 percent of our gross domestic product to education, as proposed by the United Nations. In this regard, we are still under-investing compared to our Asean neighbors,” Abante said.
This year, the sector, which includes the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and state universities and colleges, received P751.7 billion.
She expressed hope that the coming years would see increases to arrive at the proposed percentage.
“Investments in education are tied to our recovery in the long-term. We must ensure that the younger generation are properly equipped and able to handle the demands of the future,” she added.
The long-time educator also urged the education sector to ensure that its fund allocations are properly utilized in the wake of various national government agencies being flagged by the Commission on Audit.
“Sayang po ang pondo, at higit sa lahat, kapakanan po ng taumbayan ang nakasalalay sa paggamit natin nang tama sa mga alokasyon sa budget,” Abante said.
