EDUCATION: PARTNER OF PEOPLE-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

MELISSA M. DELA CRUZ

Improving the quality of local communities by reducing poverty, schools are important partners of people engage in people-centred development. Long has it been accepted that sustainable development can only be achieved when people especially the youth are transformed as primary resources for economic growth. Developing the potential contribution of youth is the sure source of hope for productive human resources. This is only possible and feasible when education through the different delivery and services of schools enter the central picture in a people-centred development effort.

Self-reliance, social justice, and participatory decision-making are the essential focus of every people-centred development effort. In all of these human resources is the primordial concern. Capacity development in human resources is only possible through an improvement in the quality of education and training as reflected in improved school facilities, integration of ICTs; ensuring higher completion rates in basic and higher education; and making more programs for integrated adult education. Providing these inputs will result in holistically-developed learners or graduates who hopefully can work and participate in mobilizing people-centred development programs in every local community.

More than equipping future movers of people-centred development with adequate skills and competencies, education is a catalyst of the mind and values of people for social justice and social equity which are basic tenets of people-centred development. Since people-centred development recognizes that a boost in the economy does not necessarily translate in an improvement in the daily lives of people, it calls for changes in different realms of social, political, and environmental aspects. These ideals are being infused to people through education because it creates a new paradigm in order to enable learners to serve people’s needs and to have relevance in public service, social responsibility and sustainable governance and development. This is how education fulfils its role as a powerful partner of people-centred development. Retrieved January 17, 2018 from https:// en.wikipedia.org/ wikiPeople-centerd_ development

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The author is Teacher III at Mabiga Elementary School, Mabiga, Mabalacat City