Summary
Highlights
After World War II, the private education sector successfully lobbied for a share of the Special Fund for Education from the U.S. government. This led to the creation of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) in 1968 through Executive Order No. 156, signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. This order also established the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) as the fund's trustee, symbolizing a crucial public-private partnership in Philippine education.
The original members of PEAC, including Dr. Onofre D. Corpus, Attorney Nicomor Yentes, Dr. Armand V. Fabela, Dr. Waldo S. Perfecto, and Dr. Arturo M. Guerrero, laid the foundation for an institution dedicated to serving Philippine private education. They emphasized the necessity of government assistance, advocated for an organized sector collaborating with the government, and initiated reforms and developments. Private education played a significant role in the Philippines, accounting for 80% of tertiary and 40% of basic education enrollment until the late 1960s.
As a funder, PEAC has supported the establishment of various institutions, such as the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP), Center for Educational Measurement (CEM), Private Education Retirement Annuity Association (PERAA), and United Property and Accident Insurance System for Education (Appraise). PEAC also implements internally funded programs supporting private school teachers' graduate studies, capacity-building initiatives for educational associations, and mentorship for schools striving for quality assurance.
PEAC has been a strong advocate for private education, championing landmark legislation like Republic Act No. 6728, the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE). It actively advocates for extending GASTPE to K6 learners and more resources for the private sector, consulting with schools, and making policy recommendations. PEAC undertakes extensive research to support its advocacy, leading to increases in educational service contracting (ESC) amounts and certification assessment instruments to ensure compliance with government standards.
PEAC manages large national subsidy programs, including the Junior High School Educational Service Contracting (JHS ESC) and the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP). It conceptualized and piloted the ESC before its nationwide implementation. PEAC's co-implementation of these programs with the Department of Education demonstrates a successful public-private partnership, providing cost-effective ways for the government to fulfill its mandate of free secondary education. PEAC also spearheaded the evaluation of graduate education programs, leading to the designation of Centers of Excellence and Development in private higher education institutions.
PEAC maintains a quality assurance mechanism through its certification program for private junior high schools and has developed standards-based quality assurance for senior high and elementary schools, promoting continuous improvement across basic education levels. It supports the professional development of educators through in-service training and innovative programs, creating and implementing policies to mitigate learning loss through curriculum enhancements, teacher training, and technology integration. PEAC's collective efforts have positively impacted the educational landscape, fostering a shared vision for a better system.
PEAC, through its roles as a funder, advocate, and program manager, enables not just students, parents, and teachers, but the entire private education sector. Over 55 years, PEAC has been instrumental in promoting public-private partnerships and focusing discussions on strategies to improve the education system. Moving forward, PEAC aims to continue being an enabler for private education, turning challenges into opportunities for complementarity to achieve an integrated, efficient, inclusive, and high-performing Philippine education system.