At the CEAP-7 Convention

PEAC exec dir asks gov’t to

divert scholarships to SciTech

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Sept 26 (PIA)—“Why would the government pay for the student scholarships, (for courses) that parents are willing to pay?”

Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) Executive Director Rhodora Angela Ferrer touched raw nerve from the recent Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) Region 7 Convention at the Barder Gymnasium of the Holy Name University, with Central Visayas Catholic and private schools agreeing with the PEAC director, with a motivating resounding applause.

Speaking to report PEAC’s Educational Committee report to school directors, administrators, principals and non-working staff including student leaders from private and catholic schools within the region, Ferrer, who sits with four other trustees in the implementation of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) has hinted on realigning government priorities for its scholarships to fund more on the science and technology courses.

Science and technology play a crucial role in national development by enhancing living standards, fostering economic growth, and promoting innovation.

Ferrer, who sits with the Department of Education Secretary, representative from National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), CEAP representative, Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU) representative and Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) serving as trustee to the permanent irrevocable FAPE fund, has brought PEAC concerns to the convention hosted by Bohol Association of Catholic Schools for CEAP Region 7.

Now an emerging force in the effective operationalization of the “complementarity” between private and public schools as provided in the Philippine Constitution, PEAC has partnered with education agencies in efficiently co-implementing national subsidy programs for students and teachers in private schools.

Although relatively better endowed with government funds, the public educational system has somehow achieved less than many would have wanted it to accomplish, but, the private education sector is also taking up the task.

With limited government help going their way, the private education are left to their own means, operating by offering up courses that they can afford to run.

And then, the government, with its resources, also entered into the frame, offering scholarships to courses that the wealthy can easily pay, something kids from average families who have the means to pay, are getting these for free.

While catholic and private institution members are strong in giving superior education, not all of their students earn the chance to get into fitting government scholarships in science and technology, as these courses are generally expensive.

Ferrer hoped that more of the scholarships offered by the government could be allocated for the more challenging Scitech courses, instead of funding course scholarships where parents are willing to pay.

“But instead of realigning more of its scholarship programs for science and technology, the government scholarships are funding courses that parents themselves are willing to pay,” Ferrer pointed out, during the opening of the two-day convention.

The PEAC official’s observation sat well with the local school administrators, who feel that the government has just become a competition in the cheaper courses which the private schools and catholic schools are offering.

The convention, themed “Pilgrims and Agents of Hope: Embracing Synodality, also brought in CEAP 7 trustee Sr. Elenita Soriano DC., CEAP President Rev. Fr. Alberto Delvo, PhD, CEAP executive director Allan Jose Arellano, CEAP Region III trustee Nancy Ador Dionisio, and Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Most Reverend Midyphil Billones, DD.

For Bohol, Bishop Alberto Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon of Talibon also graced the convention. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)

PUTTING MONEY WHERE THE MOUTH IS. When the country would need scientists and technologists, why give most scholarships to other courses that parents are willing to pay, asks PEAC Executive Director Rhodora Angela Ferrer, during the 2024 CEAP Regional Convention at the Barder Gym of the HNU, September 20-21. (PIABohol)