Education doesn’t happen in classrooms alone—it grows through communities, local leaders, and the systems that support young learners every day. This week, Education Secretary Sonny Angara called on local government units (LGUs) across the Philippines to take a more active role in the country’s learning recovery efforts, echoing the nationwide push by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen foundational skills, literacy, and student well-being.
With new national guidelines expanding how the Special Education Fund (SEF) may be used, LGUs are now positioned to support academic recovery more efficiently, especially for early-grade learners. The update reflects a global trend seen in many countries—including the U.S.—where community-led education initiatives have shown long-term benefits for improving reading, nutrition, and school readiness.
New SEF Guidelines: What’s Changing and Why It Matters
The transformation began with the signing of a new Joint Circular (JC) between the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Finance (DOF). This JC updates all previous issuances from 2017 and 2020 and introduces broader, more meaningful ways to use the SEF.
Expanded Allowed Expenses
The updated SEF guidelines now prioritize investments that directly impact student outcomes, such as:
-
Early-grade literacy programs
-
National Feeding Program support
-
Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) initiatives
-
Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) projects
These align with global best practices stressing the importance of strong early literacy and child nutrition—areas proven to influence long-term academic success.
Focusing on What Matters Most: Kinder Readiness, Health, and Academic Support
According to Secretary Angara, the new guidelines are centered on key developmental pillars:
1. School Readiness
Ensuring that children enter Kindergarten prepared is foundational. With expanded SEF use, LGUs can now allocate funds for early childhood learning tools and programs that boost cognitive and language development.
2. Student Health and Nutrition
The guidelines allow SEF to support programs that keep students healthy for more than 200 days per school year—a major advantage in communities where nutrition can affect attendance and academic performance.
3. Academic Tutoring & Recovery
Academic tutors and learning recovery programs have become essential, especially after global learning losses from the pandemic. The new rules give LGUs more flexibility to deploy tutoring programs tailored to local needs.
4. 21st Century Learning Spaces
With the inclusion of digital tools in allowed SEF expenditures, LGUs can now help transform classrooms into technology-ready, future-facing learning environments—something education systems worldwide are prioritizing.
More Inclusive Local School Boards and Community Involvement
A notable feature of the updated circular is the expansion of Local School Board (LSB) membership. This includes:
-
Alternative Learning System (ALS) implementers
-
Parents of learners with disabilities
-
Representatives from local tech-voc institutions
-
Members from local higher education institutions
This broader representation ensures that school decisions reflect real community needs, making education planning more responsive and inclusive.
LGUs to Play a Larger Role in Classroom Construction by 2026
One of the biggest highlights is the proposed special provision in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Under this provision, LGUs will be allowed to help build school infrastructure using:
-
National appropriations
-
Cost-sharing arrangements
-
Local resources
DepEd’s goal: maximize the ₱85.4 billion allocated for 25,500 new classrooms and facilities to reduce the nationwide 165,000-classroom backlog.
Where LGUs Come In
Local governments will help by:
-
Validating current classroom shortages
-
Monitoring construction progress
-
Identifying potential temporary learning spaces
-
Accelerating land titling and building permit processes
This approach mirrors collaborative infrastructure models in other countries, where local governments speed up educational infrastructure delivery by cutting through bureaucracy.
A Long-Term Partnership with ULAP
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) is set to release a resolution reinforcing its long-term collaboration with DepEd. The partnership will focus on five major areas:
-
Classroom and school facilities development
-
Community-based literacy and ALS support
-
School health and nutrition systems
-
Digital learning and data-sharing
-
Strong SEF utilization through joint policy work
This multi-sector partnership recognizes that learning recovery is not just a school issue—it’s a community mission.
Why This Matters to a Global Audience
The Philippines is not alone in addressing learning gaps, food insecurity, and classroom shortages. Education systems worldwide—from the U.S. to Southeast Asia—are reassessing how local governments and communities can strengthen foundations for young learners.
The reforms in the Philippines reflect broader education strategies seen globally:
-
Community-driven education solutions
-
Flexible funding models
-
Early literacy interventions
-
Collaborative school governance
-
Digital readiness initiatives
For Filipino families abroad, educators, and global readers interested in education policy, these reforms offer insight into how nations rebuild stronger, more inclusive learning systems after a challenging decade.
A New Era of Shared Responsibility
Secretary Sonny Angara’s call to action highlights a new direction for Philippine education—one where local governments aren’t just supporters but active partners in shaping student success.
With new SEF guidelines, expanded LSB involvement, and upcoming provisions for school infrastructure, the path forward leans on collaboration, innovation, and community strength.
As the country works to close gaps in literacy, nutrition, and classrooms, these reforms represent a hopeful shift toward a modern, resilient, and inclusive educational landscape.
