PEAC and the Programs of Assistance to the Private Schools

Since 1968, the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) has served as a crucial partner between the government and the private education sector in the Philippines. It operationalizes the complementarity between private and public schools to benefit Filipino learners. PEAC was established on November 5, 1968, through Executive Order 156, which also constituted the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) as a permanent trust fund. PEAC is composed of the Secretary of the Department of Education, representatives from the National Economic Development Authority, and various educational associations.

PEAC acts as a funder, advocate, partner, and enabler for the development of private education. A national secretariat, led by an executive director, implements PEAC's policies and programs. PEAC also maintains a presence in 16 regions through regional secretariats, which are hosted by credible private educational institutions and led by regional program directors and coordinators. To ensure the growth and management of FAPE and other funds, PEAC has an investment advisory group and engages external fund managers.

PEAC has actively supported public policy development and advocacy to improve and sustain the private education sector. It played a significant role in the passage of landmark legislation such as Republic Act No. 6728, also known as the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) in 1989 (amended in 1998 by RA 8545), which institutionalized government assistance to private education.

Having a proven track record in program management, PEAC is contracted by the Department of Education to co-implement various programs. These include the Education Service Contracting (ESC), which PEAC has been involved with since its piloting in 1982, and the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program, which expanded GASTPE beneficiaries to grades 11 and 12 under Republic Act 10533. PEAC's responsibilities in GASTPE include school orientation, certification, voucher processing, monitoring, and training. Additionally, PEAC co-implements the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program for private higher education institutions with the Commission on Higher Education and UNIFast Board, under Republic Act No. 10931.

PEAC is accredited as a continuing professional development (CPD) provider by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), offering training programs with CPD credit units. It also supports research to enhance educational delivery and the implementation of government subsidy programs. PEAC has developed a suite of systems, including an Enterprise Information System, Voucher Management System, and Training and Development System, to efficiently manage its national-scale programs. PEAC also runs its own programs for the private education sector, such as 'Assistance to Programs and Initiatives to Reform Education' (ASPIRE), 'Research for School Improvement Towards Excellence' (RISE), 'Dissemination Assistance to Research and Education' (DARE), 'Leading for Educational Achievement Program' (LEAP), 'Rethinking Education Championing and Accelerating School Transformation' (RECAST), and publishes the 'Philippine Education Research Journal', alongside organizing the 'Philippine Education Conference' and 'Education Leadership Series' (ELS).

Recognizing the efficiency, diversity, and innovativeness of private schools in achieving quality Philippine education, PEAC remains committed to promoting private education as an integral part of the nation's educational system.