Free public education sought for household help

MANILA, Philippines - Household helpers may continue to pursue their education at minimal costs if a House bill seeking education grants for them is passed into law. In a statement on Friday, Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson said under his House Bill No. 5860, drivers, babysitters, gardeners, cooks, and the like will be granted free public school education while they will be given a 50 percent discount on tuition fees in private educational institutions. Under the bill, public schools are required to provide scholarship grants - including free tuition fees, subsidies, and other inventives - to deserving household helpers who pass the screening process of the educational institutions, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Meanwhile, deserving household helpers will only be required to pay half the tuition fee in private schools. The bill also proposes a P5,000 fine will be imposed on institutions that violate the provisions of the bill. Singson said his bill will raise the level of literacy in the country by making quality education accessible to household helpers, whom he said are one of the most marginalized in society. "They are not governed by any law that specifically ensures the protection of their rights and welfare and they usually do not have medical, minimum wage, social security and leave benefits," Singson said. Those who wish to avail of the discount privileges should present an employment certification stating that the enrollee is a household helper, Singson said. If a student is found to have misrepresented himself or herself, he or she will be made to pay the total amount and face disciplinary action, including possible suspension or expulsion from the educational institution. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV