RIGHTS-BASED EDUCATION FRAMEWORK

BEA LEAN S. JUANTA

Save the Children Philippines has affirmed its commitment in pursuing the rights-based education framework of the Department of Education in its education programs and advocacies. This is so all Filipino children can attain and enjoy their rights to access inclusive and quality education, and their right to respect and well-being in the learning environment. This reaffirmation is in line with the celebration of the recent National Children’s Month, with the DepEd emphasizing interventions on learners’ mental health and wellbeing. With the theme “Pagtataguyod sa Karapatan, Kalidad na Edukasyon, at Kalinga para sa Kabataang Pilipino”, the annual DepEd event was spearheaded by various members of the agency’s Executive and Management Committee members, and external partners. The Karapatan Plenary Presentation, focused on highlighting the existing international and national laws that ensure and promote the rights and safety of the learners in acquiring quality basic education. The said session discussed provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act, and Republic Act No. 115109, known as the Alternative Learning System Act, among others. Meanwhile, the Kalidad Plenary Presentation noted the implementation of the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 and the Learning Recovery and Continuity Plan (LRCP). Furthermore, the second plenary presentation noted the significance of DepEd Order No. 31, series of 2022, known as Child Rights Policy: Adopting the Rights-based Education Framework in Philippine Basic Education, which would be vital in ensuring the quality and accessibility of the Philippine basic education system after the pandemic. The third Plenary Presentation on Kalinga was about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the mental and psychosocial well-being of the learners. During this session, the resource speakers focused on the provisions of the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, which will be vital in tackling the mental health issues faced by the learners and teachers during the pandemic. Following the plenary sessions, official statements and messages of support and commitment, and call to action to duty-bearers were shared.

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The author was Teacher I at San Pedro Palcarangan ES