ADOPT A SCHOOL PROGRAM
JOSEPHINE S. CARREON
Public schools need the support of diverse partners in fulfilling the basic education of the children, hence, school partnership focal persons of the Division of Pampanga are profoundly encourage to establish a lasting partnership with various stakeholders. It is essential to revisit and strengthened RA 8525 in order to build and sustain a mutual connection between DepEd and partners by providing a venue for the strong private sectors to participate in nationbuilding through investments in the education of Filipino children .The government allots the biggest share of the national budget to public basic education but the amount still cannot keep up with the increasing student population. There are even more children who are out on the streets but gov’t resources are simply not enough to provide them the free, quality education to which they are entitled. We need generous hearts in the private sector to realize the spirit of RC 8525 or the Adopt-a-School Act enacted in 1988 for the very purpose of providing a venue for the private sector to participate in nation- building through investments in the education of Filipino children. The rewards of such investments come through an educated generation that will succeed our and steer this nation to greater heights. The DepEd in collaboration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue works together in order to grant incentives to the private partners of DepEd. The incentives are provided through the tax deduction of the private companies, industries and private individuals who imparted their financial or in-kind services to the public schools. DepEd private partners are welcome to avail the tax incentives as long as they meet the requirements. Partners can give their support packages through infrastructures, physical facilities, furniture and real state, learning support, health and nutrition, reading program, technology support, direct assistance, training and development or assistive learning device for students with special needs..
-oOoThe author is SST III at Potrero National High School