By Brian Campued
The Department of Education (DepEd) has mobilized its key offices in preparation for implementing Republic Act (RA) No. 12321, which institutionalizes government support for public basic education schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) to improve access to quality education nationwide.
Signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 22, RA 12321, or the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, addresses long-standing gaps in school infrastructure, learning resources, teacher support, and other essential services in remote and economically disadvantaged communities.
Schools may be identified as Last Mile and GIDA Schools based on indicators such as having more than 75% Indigenous Peoples (IP) learners, serving communities affected by conflict, insecurity, or disaster vulnerability, and meeting other criteria that may be established by DepEd.
Under the new law, the DepEd is directed to adopt a national school accessibility standard to guide school planning and infrastructure development, as well as develop and publish a National Last Mile and GIDA Schools Map to serve as the basis for planning, resource, allocation, and program implementation.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also ordered to construct and maintain access roads, while DepEd and local government units (LGUs) will help provide transportation services or alternative learning delivery modes in areas where terrain, geography, or safety conditions make travel to school sites difficult.
The law likewise mandates concerned government agencies to ensure that learners have access to a basic education school within a walkable distance of three kilometers from their homes and that these schools are provided with electricity, internet connectivity, water supply, transportation, and other essential services.
In a news release Thursday, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said they are reviewing existing guidelines on Last Mile Schools and GIDA while finalizing the implementing rules for the new law, which takes effect on Aug. 12.
He assured that any establishment of schools within ancestral domains will strictly comply with Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) requirements.
Meanwhile, teachers and non-teaching personnel who are deployed in high-risk and isolated areas will be provided with comprehensive support packages, including hardship and mobility allowances, housing assistance, professional development opportunities, scholarships, and career advancement mechanisms.
Local mechanisms will also be put in place to prioritize recruitment of residents and culturally and linguistically aligned candidates as well as the adoption of provisional development pathways for qualified individuals and the engagement of indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) educators and culture-bearers.
“Hindi na natin pwedeng iwanan sa huli ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral sa pinakamalalayong sulok ng bansa,” Sec. Angara said.
“Sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Marcos [Jr.], ginagawan natin ng konkretong solusyon ang matagal nang problema: ang siguraduhing may maayos na silid-aralan, may sapat at protektadong guro, at magiging mas accessible ang mga paaralan sa mga mag-aaral,” he added.
-jpv
