“Education changes lives, and with GASTPE, we can change millions more.”
A good education is a life-changing, enduring asset—not just for individuals but for families, communities, and even the nation. Education opens doors, helps one grow in confidence, and equips people with the intellectual tools to contribute meaningfully to society.
But many Filipinos are not as lucky. Our public school system is bursting at the seams, with overcrowded classrooms and overworked teachers struggling to meet the growing demand. That is why programs like the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) are so important. By addressing overcrowding and leveraging the resources of private schools, GASTPE embodies the kind of public-private partnership that we in CitizenWatch Philippines have been championing as a practical and impactful solution to systemic problems in education.
GASTPE is a bridge, connecting public school overflow students to private schools with available resources. It allows students who might otherwise be crammed into overcrowded classrooms to receive quality education in private institutions. This isn’t just a band-aid solution—it’s a meaningful collaboration between the public and private educational institutions. Since the program started in 1989, it has supported over 12.45 million students, and last year alone, it provided aid to more than 2.2 million learners. These aren’t just numbers; they represent millions of lives transformed by the opportunities that education provides.
I grew up in a middle-class family that prioritized education above all else. My parents made sacrifices to send me to school, and I know what a privilege it was to sit in a classroom with enough books, inspiring teachers, and space to learn. For many Filipino families, though, this is far from reality.
A study on the absorptive capacity of our education system revealed that over five million public school students—known as “aisle learners”—are forced to attend classes in makeshift spaces due to overcrowding. This isn’t just about physical discomfort; it’s about the quality of education being compromised. Programs like the Education Service Contracting (ESC) initiative under GASTPE directly address this issue by enabling private schools to absorb these students. Currently, over 3,600 private schools participate, easing the load on public schools while maintaining high standards of education that private schools are known for.
As advocates for quality education for all Filipinos, we at CitizenWatch Philippines believe that the GASTPE’s inclusivity is what makes it particularly impactful. It doesn’t just move students from one system to another; it ensures that the private schools receiving these students are equipped to provide quality education. The program funds teacher training, subsidizes salaries, and provides resources to maintain educational standards. During the pandemic, when schools had to shift to online and blended learning, GASTPE funding allowed private schools to adapt quickly, ensuring students could continue learning. That kind of resilience is priceless.
For high school students, the Senior High School Voucher Program is another vital component of GASTPE. It gives families the opportunity to choose private schools that best suit their children’s needs, regardless of geographic or financial limitations. This flexibility isn’t just practical—it’s life-changing. Education isn’t one-size-fits-all, and having options ensures that students can find environments where they thrive.
The most impactful aspect of GASTPE is the opportunities it creates for students from underserved backgrounds. Many of the program’s beneficiaries have gone on to become community leaders, industry innovators, and role models for others. The ripple effect of this is enormous. When one student succeeds, they can inspire others and contribute to breaking the cycles of poverty. Beyond individual achievement, it’s about nation-building.
But the gaps remain. GASTPE currently focuses on junior and senior high school students, but expanding it to include elementary education would ensure a strong foundation for even more learners. This is especially critical in rural areas and underserved regions where educational resources are scarce.
We have seen how the collaboration between public and private schools through GASTPE has significantly eased overcrowding while maintaining high-quality education. For the program to continue its mission, it needs the unwavering support of the government and a strengthened commitment from all stakeholders. Education is the foundation of progress, and GASTPE has proven that public-private partnerships can create lasting change.
GASTPE is an investment in our children, our communities, and our nation. Expanding and strengthening this program isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. Education changes lives, and with GASTPE, we can change millions more. We at CitizenWatch Philippines will continue to push for its growth, knowing that it holds the promise of a brighter, more equitable future for every Filipino child.
