ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO SDG NO.4

AGNES L. MANABAT

The new administration of the Department of Education is on the right track in realizing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 (Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education). This, as the Deped highlighted initiatives to realize SDG No. 4, in observance of the annual International Day of Education (IDE) with year’s theme ‘To Invest in People, Prioritize Education’ At the UN Transforming Education Summit in September last year, President Marcos announced our commitment to recover the learning losses from the pandemic and rebuild our education to be more inclusive, relevant and resilient to future shocks and disruptions, according to Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte. She is urging everyone to work together to ensure that the education system empowers young people to navigate lives, challenges with 21st century skills, resilience, leadership, and strength of character as they join us in reshaping and rebuilding a better and stronger Philippines. The said activity is primarily envisioned to generate visibility from local to global level on prioritizing education to reach the SDGs ahead of the SDG Summit, building on the outcomes of the United Nation’s Transforming Education Summit. Resource speakers discussed their respective perceptions on “Unmuting the Youth: Seeing Philippine education in the eyes of this generation.” Meanwhile, learners expressed their hopes for education sector to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z., Duterte, and the Department. The Department’s celebration of IDE was participated by United Nations, UNESCO Office and SEAMEO. DepEd has likewise recognized the Institute of APEC Collaborative Education (IACE), KOICA, Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Global Peace Foundation, World Bank, UNICEF, and JICA for their continuous support to promote quality education. As proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), IDE is celebrated yearly on January 24 to promote the role of education in peace and development. This year, the UNGA invited all Member States to observe the IDE in support of the efforts of all Member States relevant to the realization of SGD 4.

The author is Head Teacher III at Balubad Elementary School