Sara, private schools meet over curriculum

(UPDATE) THE implementation of the Matatag Curriculum was among the key issues raised by private school heads and associations in their meeting with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte last January 23.

In her post on her official Facebook page Friday, Duterte said the private school heads wanted to be assured about the «proper execution» of the Matatag Curriculum, which is being piloted in 35 public schools across the country and is scheduled to be rolled out next school year for Kinder, Grades 1, 4 and 7.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also assured that it is open to training their teachers, Duterte said in Filipino.

She did not elaborate on the other issues raised by the private school sector and the DepEd's response.

The meeting comes as multiple proposals were laid out in Congress to prop up the struggling private education sector, which is facing a drop in enrollment as more students transfer to public schools.

In a previous interview, Pasig City Representative and House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chairman Roman Romulo said the proposed expansion of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (Gastpe) program could help decongest private schools.

Romulo's proposal includes Grades 1-6 in the Gastpe program, along with Grades 7–10, who can enroll in private schools through a voucher system.

He said his proposed expansion of the program would allow a «complementary partnership» between public and private schools.