MANILA, Philippines – Inaprubahan ng World Bank ang $600-million financing program para sa Department of Education (DepEd) Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D), na layong palakasin ang foundational literacy sa public primary at lower secondary schools sa Pilipinas.
Ayon sa World Bank, inaprubahan ng executive directors ang pagpopondo sa PLUS-D project noong Abril 3.
Naka-disenyo ang programa na magbigay ng suporta sa buong bansa na makatutulong sa nasa 21 milyong K-10 learners na makahabol at mapabuti ang learning outcomes.
“For the Philippines, sustaining growth and creating more jobs will depend on strong human capital — a workforce with solid foundational skills in literacy and numeracy,” sinabi ni World Bank Division Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Zafer Mustafaolu.
“This effort is about giving every Filipino child a fair start, ensuring they can build the skills that underpin lifelong learning and future success in the labor market,” dagdag niya.
Ang PLUS-D program ay naka-ayon sa learning recovery at acceleration agenda ng DepEd.
Layon nitong palakasin ang teaching at school leadership sa pamamagitan ng evidence-based training at coaching, palawakin ang access sa inclusive teaching at learning materials, at suportahan ang digitalization at decentralization efforts.
Magbibigay din ang programa ng pondo sa grants at tailored support para sa 10 piling DepEd regional offices at mahigit 11,100 paaralan para pabilisin ang elementary learning at mapabuti ang kalidad ng lower secondary education.
“PLUS-D is about combating learning poverty nationwide by equipping teachers with evidence-based support, promoting school autonomy and accountability, and helping Filipino learners become independent, confident readers,” ayon kay World Bank Senior Education Specialist at Project Leader Janssen Edelweiss Teixeira.
“We have seen this work in countries around the world, and the Philippines will be no exception. Help is on the way,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
