Some 13,000 senior high school students from various schools in Antique are expected to benefit once the proposed ordinance giving them financial assistance is approved.
Authored by board member Pio Jessielito Sumande, the proposed measure is expected to be passed before the first semester of school year 2019-2020.
Sumande said he filed the proposal, which stands to benefit Grades 11 and 12 students of 57 secondary public schools in the province, last July 11.
“I have proposed the provincial government provides financial assistance in the amount of P1,000 each for the Grades 11 and 12 students in public schools,” he said.
He said despite the free education for secondary students, some of them need to take the National Certification (NC) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for their technical-vocational courses.
They also need funds for their other school needs, he noted.
“Since the provincial government has already a scholarship for the college and graduate students in the amount of P5,000 per semester and the office of Antique Rep. Loren Legarda extends P6,000 to scholars, it would be appropriate also that the Grades 11 and 12 students be extended financial assistance,” he said.
He said extending financial assistance to the Grades 11 and 12, the provincial government is ensuring that the senior high school students could finish their secondary education and proceed to college.
Sumande said he hopes the ordinance could already be tackled for second reading during their regular session on Thursday for it to be passed before October.PNA/IMT
