Another issue that the Philippine educational system faces is the budget for education. Although it has been mandated by the Philippine Constitution for the government to allocate the highest proportion of its government to education, the Philippines remains to have one of the lowest budget allocations to education among ASEAN countries. Educators are set to endure diminished learning quality as no student will be left behind even amidst pandemic situations. However, the budget for education in funding remote learning plans is not enough to cover the education sector for the overhauled education system.
School systems have limited financial resources with which to pursue their objectives and the design of school funding policies plays a key role in ensuring that resources are directed to where they can make the most difference. Every school might seek assistance in achieving their education policy objectives through the efficient and equitable use of financial resources. It provides a systematic analysis of school funding policies by looking into the organization of responsibilities for raising and spending school funds, the design of mechanisms to distribute funding to schools, the procedures for planning education budgets, and the practices for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting how funding has been used.
Consequently, budget for education is crucial as it helps bridge the gap that can exist between school goals and resource allocation. The Department’s system is still facing challenges because of the instant shift from the traditional face-to-face classes to distance learning, and yet the Department is still able to find a way to perform its mandate even in a challenging time. Putting special attention to the programs that are relevant in distance learning was given major consideration to ensure continuous service to the stakeholders, amid and despite pandemic situations and other natural calamities. Hence, the school system needs a certain level of financial stability to undertake interventions, innovations, and reformed programs.
By: Michelle Marie M. Diaz | Teacher I | Cataning Elementary School
