Pangilinan files bill on 'last mile schools' in remote areas
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has filed a measure seeking to institutionalize government support for so-called "last mile schools," or public schools in remote and underserved areas.
In a statement issued Monday, January 16, Pangilinan said he filed Senate Bill No. 1842, or the Last Mile Schools Act.
In the propoosal, a learning establishment may be classified as a last mile school if it meets certain criteria, including having fewer than four classrooms, fewer than five teachers, and no recent budget allocation other than for repairs.
A last mile school will also be adopting "differentiated policies" under the Department of Education that truer to realities of education in far-flung areas.
"It directs the development of tailored approaches to learning delivery, teacher deployment, infrastructure standards, learner support services, and performance monitoring," the bill states.
The bill, if passed, would also require the DepEd to include in its agenda interventions for learning in neglected areas.
The measure further directs DepEd to tailor learning delivery mechanisms and establish appropriate staffing standards.
Inter-agency coordination. The bill mandates DepEd to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways to build access roads to these schools, and with the Department of Energy to provide power to areas where the schools are.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology would also be tasked with delivering needed technological infrastructure.
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