LGUs may use local education fund for distance learning

Local government units ( LGUs) are now authorized to use their Special Education Fund or SEF to support distance learning in their localities by spending on communications and producing learning modules, among others.

In a joint circular, the Departments of Budget and Management, of Education, and of the Interior and Local Government enumerated educationrelated expenditures allowed to be charged to the SEF.

The SEF, which comes from real property tax collected by LGUs, is covered by a 2017 joint circular issued by the three agencies.

The 2017 circular limited the use of the fund to items provided in Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code) such as the operation and maintenance of schools; construction and repair of school buildings, facilities and equipment; educational research; purchase of books and periodicals; and sports development.

Recently, several LGUs requested the three departments to clarify whether or not the local education fund can be used to address the needs of public schools in the implementation of distance learning in the midst of the pandemic.