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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure institutionalizing government support for public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and other underserved communities, aiming to expand access to quality basic education nationwide.
Republic Act No. 12321, or the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, establishes a national program under the Department of Education (DepEd) to address longstanding deficiencies in school infrastructure, learning resources, teacher support, and other essential services in remote and economically disadvantaged areas.
The law defines Last Mile and GIDA Schools as public basic education institutions located in remote, hard-to-reach, underserved, or economically disadvantaged communities where access to safe, adequate, and quality education is significantly constrained by inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, personnel shortages, and challenging social and environmental conditions.
Schools may qualify under the program if they meet criteria set by DepEd, including having more than 75% Indigenous Peoples (IP) learners, serving communities affected by armed conflict, insecurity, or disaster risks, or satisfying other indicators to be established by the department.
Under the law, the DepEd shall adopt a national school accessibility standard to guide school planning and infrastructure development, to ensure that learners have access to a basic education school within a walkable distance of three kilometers from their homes.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also tasked to construct and maintain access roads, while local government units will help provide transportation services or alternative learning delivery modes in areas where terrain, geography, or safety conditions make travel difficult.
Within one year of the law taking effect, the DepEd must develop and publish a National Last Mile and GIDA Schools Map, which will guide planning, resource allocation, and the implementation of programs for underserved schools.
The law also requires the DepEd to roll out programs tailored to the needs of learners in Last Mile and GIDA Schools. These include alternative learning delivery modes, the provision of learning materials and equipment, school feeding and health programs, improved water and sanitation facilities, electrification, computerization, and priority inclusion under the Adopt-a-School Program.
To address the difficulties faced by educators assigned to remote communities, the measure also strengthens support for teaching and non-teaching personnel. The assistance includes hardship and mobility allowances, housing support, professional development and training, scholarship opportunities, localized hiring, and career advancement incentives.
For schools located within ancestral domains, the law mandates the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), indigenous languages, and culturally appropriate learning materials into the curriculum, in accordance with Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
The law provides that funding for its implementation will come from the budgets of the agencies concerned.—LDF, GMA News
