Makati City: United Nations agencies on Tuesday expressed their strong support for enhancing quality and inclusive education in the Philippines as the new school year commenced this week. In a press briefing held in Makati City, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) education chief Akihiro Fushimi highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by millions of Filipino children, particularly those in vulnerable and remote areas, in accessing quality education and learning opportunities.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fushimi emphasized the commitment of the UN to contribute to the Philippine government's goal of achieving quality education for all. This support is part of a week-long communications campaign by UN Philippines aligned with the back-to-school season. UNICEF, along with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Population Fund, is actively involved in various regions, supporting the Philippine government in numerous initiatives, including alternative learning systems, school meals programs, comprehensive sexuality education, and refugee education.
Fushimi noted a growing momentum in education support among stakeholders in the Philippines, praising the adoption of the K-to-12 education system as a positive step. He stressed the importance of investing in children's health, nutrition, and education even before they enter kindergarten. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries face a "learning crisis" with poor learning outcomes among schoolchildren.
The UN executive pointed out that, regionally, 90 percent of Grade 5 children are unable to read at their expected level, and 83 percent struggle with basic mathematics. This crisis predates the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the Philippines experienced a two-year-long school closure. UNICEF estimates that by Grade 4, Filipino children typically have reading and mathematics skills equivalent to Grade 2 levels, with the situation being even more dire in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
WFP Deputy Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya attributed these issues to factors such as poverty and malnutrition. He reiterated WFP's commitment to support the Philippines in achieving its Global School Meals Coalition commitments, aiming for universal school meals coverage by 2030. Bhattacharyya advocated for a universal school feeding program, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial models and suggesting amendments to Republic Act 11037 to facilitate this transition.
Bhattacharyya also expressed WFP's willingness to assist the government in exploring different sustainable financing options, indicating a collaborative effort to improve the education system and address malnutrition among Filipino children.
