Manila: Senate President Win Gatchalian has proposed that local governments utilize the Special Education Fund (SEF) to hire trained security personnel in response to a series of violent incidents involving students. This initiative is part of Senate Bill No. 53, also known as the proposed 21st Century School Boards Act, which seeks to expand the use of the SEF beyond traditional expenditures such as classrooms and facilities to include measures aimed at ensuring the safety of learners and school personnel.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian emphasized the importance of prioritizing school security in education funding, arguing that fear and violence can significantly hinder the learning process. He stated, "Walls and classrooms are no longer enough if the safety of our students cannot be assured." He further highlighted that a student in fear cannot effectively learn, underscoring the necessity for measures that address safety concerns within schools.

Gatchalian's proposal aims to provide local government units with greater flexibility in addressing urgent educational needs, which includes the deployment of properly trained security guards. The recent fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old student by a 14-year-old classmate at Las Pi±as National High School was cited as a critical incident that emphasizes the need for stronger campus safety measures.

The bill also seeks to enhance the role of local school boards and local government units in planning and funding education programs tailored to the specific conditions of their communities. Traditionally, the SEF, sourced from an additional tax on real property, has been allocated for the construction, repair, and maintenance of school buildings, along with other education-related expenses.

Proposed amendments to the Local Government Code, which aim to expand the use of the SEF, are part of the priority agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.