Legarda files “Last Mile Schools Act” to strengthen access to education in the country’s most underserved areas

Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, has filed Senate Bill No. 1412, or the Last Mile Schools bill, which seeks to bring quality education to children living in the country’s most geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA).

The proposed measure institutionalizes Last Mile Schools under the administration of the Department of Education (DepEd), serving learners in remote and underserved areas, including Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), consistent with the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.

“Many of our schools in far-flung areas still operate without electricity, proper classrooms, or clean water,” Legarda said. “We cannot expect children to learn or teachers to stay if we do not first provide the most basic conditions for education. This bill is about giving every community the means to sustain learning, not just access to it.”

Findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) reveal that of approximately 9,000 remote schools nationwide, about 1,500 remain unelectrified, while many lack adequate sanitation and safe learning spaces. These gaps are compounded by difficult terrain and a shortage of teachers, conditions that have kept thousands of children from completing basic education.

The Last Mile Schools bill adopts a whole-of-government strategy to close these gaps. It directs DepEd to work with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for access roads, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for power supply, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for internet connectivity. DepEd is also tasked to design learning programs tailored to the realities of these communities, including teacher training, learner support services, and school maintenance standards.

“The goal is to make schools a living part of every community,” Legarda said. “Education should not depend on distance or circumstance. When every child can learn within their own community, the promise of education becomes real.”

To ensure accountability, the bill establishes a five-year school building program and requires DepEd to assess and report separately on learner outcomes in Last Mile Schools. These data will guide continuous improvement and the transparent use of public funds. (30)

Legarda, naghain ng panukalang “Last Mile Schools Act” upang palakawakin ang access sa edukasyon sa mga liblib na lugar

Naghain si Senador Loren Legarda, ang pinuno ng Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, ng panukalang Senate Bill No. 1412 o “Last Mile Schools Act” na layong dalhin ang dekalidad na edukasyon sa mga batang nakatira sa liblib at mapanganib na lugar sa bansa.

Sa panukala, ilalagay sa ilalim ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang mga Last Mile Schools na tututok sa mga mag-aaral sa liblib, at komunidad na kulang sa serbisyo, pati na ang mga Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) alinsunod sa Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.

“Marami pa rin tayong mga paaralan sa kabundukan at malalayong barangay na walang kuryente, maayos na silid-aralan, o malinis na tubig,” ayon kay Legarda. “Hindi tayo puwedeng umasa na matututo ang mga bata o mananatili ang mga guro kung wala man lang maayos na pasilidad. Ang panukalang ito ay para bigyan ng tunay na kakayahan ang bawat komunidad na ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga residente, hindi lang basta access.”

Batay sa datos ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), tinatayang 1,500 sa 9,000 kabuuan na remote schools ay wala pa ring kuryente, samantalang marami rin ang kulang sa palikuran at ligtas na silid-aralan.

Dahil sa mga matarik na daan at kakulangan sa guro, libo-libong bata ang hindi nakakapagtapos ng basic education.

Sa ilalim ng Last Mile Schools bill, gagamitin ang whole-of-government approach upang maresolba ang mga kakulangan.

Aatasan ang DepEd na makipagtulungan sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para sa mga daan tungo sa paaralan; sa Department of Energy (DOE) at National Electrification Administration (NEA) para sa kuryente; at sa Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) para sa internet.

Magdidisenyo rin ang DepEd ng learning programs na akma sa sitwasyon ng mga komunidad, kasama ang teacher training, learner support services, at school maintenance standards.

“Ang layunin ay maging buhay na bahagi ng bawat komunidad ang mga paaralan,” ani Legarda.

“Hindi dapat nakaasa sa layo o hirap ng lugar ang edukasyon. Magiging totoo lamang ang pangako ng edukasyon kapag ang bata ay nakapag-aaral sa kani-kaniyang komunidad.”

Para sa transparency at pananagutan, magpapatupad ang panukala ng limang-taong school building program at iuutos sa DepEd na magsumite ng hiwalay na ulat sa kalagayan at performance ng mga mag-aaral sa Last Mile Schools.

Gagamitin ang datos na ito para sa tuloy-tuloy na pagpapabuti at tapat na paggamit ng pondo ng bayan. (30)