Philippine Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has urged Congress to pass a law that would jail parents who fail to send their children to school. He made his appeal after a bill calling for punitive action against such parents was filed by a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

"All school-age children in basic education must be in school. That is the practice in other countries," Lapus said, adding that poverty is not an excuse to deprive children of education.

The government provides free education at primary and secondary levels in the Philippines, but the Education Department has noted high dropout rates, especially among children whose parents want them to help with farm or house chores.

"Education is life’s greatest equalizer. It is also the number one anti-poverty measure we can make," Lapus said.

Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who sponsored the bill, wants violators to be punished with six years in prison and fines of up to 100,000 pesos.