Sharing experiences and priorities

Cristina L. Pamintuan

THE Philippines has always prioritized education in accordance with its Constitution. In fact, education has received the highest portion of the national budget.

But in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was intense competition for national resources and the challenge was to defend continuity of learning.

The Department of Education is doing all it can to ensure continuity of learning, in such a manner that delivery of learning is being done in as safe a manner as possible.

As the world seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, education is a sound investment for transformation, the DepEd noted.

Enrollment for elementary schools for this school year is even higher than in previous years, according to the DepEd. So despite the challenges, there will be equity and quality gains in education in the Philippines.

Just recently, heads of state and government and ministers from 70 countries and executives of a number of international organizations addressed an online Extraordinary Global Education Meeting (GEM) co-organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The GEM adopted a declaration on the importance of promoting and protecting the right to education of all learners, especially girls and the most vulnerable, during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery phase.

The GEM highlighted the need for action and cooperation in three areas: maintaining and strengthening domestic and international financial support to the education sector; safe reopening of schools; and narrowing the digital divide.

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The author is Teacher III at Magliman Integrated School