A Filipino proverb describes education as the greatest legacy a parent can give to their child. This is the importance of learning in the Philippines, where it is a right and where the government has the responsibility to ensure its access and quality for all its citizens.
However, recent controversies have left much to be desired in this area. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in April showed that while more than 90% of Filipinos can read and write, only 70% can understand what they read. Furthermore, based on the latest data shared by the department, the classroom backlog of the Department of Education (DepEd) is currently estimated at 148,000. Exacerbating this issue is the existing distrust of the public towards government institutions.
Given these challenges, it becomes even more important to explore the role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in looking for ways to improve the current Philippine education system. DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara indicated such solutions as the key to solving the perennial problem of backlogs in the classroom.
,it's very good-PPP Tayopublic Private Partnership. ibig sabihin, malkihan, bulto-bulto1,000 classes. magpapa-Languages tayo ng isang libong school building on io-Proposal like a little girl private sector don't ask-Construction. (What we are pushing for right now is to do public-private partnerships. This means on a large scale, in bulk – 1,000 classrooms. We will [also] Put 1,000 school buildings up for bid and offer them to the private sector for construction), ”Mr Angara said in a statement.
With limited resources and long class shortages, the Education Secretary also called for increased awareness on the Adopt-a-School programme, emphasizing the tax benefits of the law to the adopting company or enterprise.
,Baka hindi alam nong ibang negosyante o ibang nagdo-Donate, ibang charitable organization, ipalaam niyo sa kanila na kapag nagado-Donate sila ng school building, Maid-deduction blue doon sa cunilang taxable income. (Some businessmen or other donors, other charitable organisations, may not know this – inform them that when they donate a school building, they can deduct it from their taxable income),'' Mr Angara also said.
,Marami Lang Hindi Nakakalam Na May Batas Na GanoonSo, with the help of the community, sana maipalam natin sa kanila(Many people don't know that such a law exists, So with the help of the community, hopefully we can make them aware of it),” he said,
In addition to the Adopt-a-School program, the agency is eyeing another PPP program to lease vacant private school buildings abandoned during the pandemic. Mr Angara recently mentioned his work with property developers and other government agencies in identifying premises that could be leased and converted into temporary classrooms.
“If we want to move forward quickly, we need to think creatively,” he said. ,If you want to work with me, buksan natin ito for more information about what I have.(If there are schools and buildings that are idle and could be used, let's open them up for the youth who need them right now.)
Beyond current projects, DepEd recently released its Quality Education Development Plan 2025-2035, where it defined PPPs as a lever that the department can use to “enhance innovation and access to resources and expertise.” The education agency said the combination of the government's broad reach with the agility and innovation of the private sector enables it to deliver more effective and efficient educational solutions.
Additionally, the document revealed several areas suitable for potential PPP collaboration with DepEd, including expanding voucher programs, leasing private properties, improving school digitalization, and building classrooms in schools with overcrowded populations and inadequate facilities. Similarly, the agency's reform team is also looking at the feasibility of using PPP for other basic education elements such as digitization for modern schools and classrooms.
In the past, PPPs have resulted in significant reforms in the education sector that have benefited thousands of students over the years. One such effort is the successful implementation of the PPP School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) in 2012 and 2013, which constructed approximately 12,000 classrooms, benefited 400,000 learners and created 11,000 local jobs.
The PSIP provides a framework and key insights that can guide stronger implementation of future PPP initiatives. The upcoming phase of the PPP for classroom construction is expected to introduce additional features, including provision of digital learning tools for teachers and students, better internet connectivity and adoption of solar energy in schools so that classrooms are future-proofed.
PPPs have worked wonders in various sectors in the Philippines, improving transportation, infrastructure, and other areas of the country. As the education sector seeks long-term, sustainable growth and improvement, leveraging these collaborations can be the catalyst that ultimately closes the gap in access, quality, and equity for Filipino learners. , Jomark Angelo M. Corpuz
