MANILA, Philippines- Sinuportahan ng 2nd Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) ang pagbibigay ng National Certification (NC) III ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) sa Child Development Workers (CDWs).
Sinabi ni Senador Win Gatchalian, co-chairperson ng EDCOM 2 na matagal nang hinihintay ang NCIII bilang reporma na magpapalakas sa early childhood care and education system ng bansa.
Ayon kay Gatchalian, tutugunan ng certification ang matagal nang puwang o pagkukulang sa kwalipikasyon at suporta na ibinibigay sa mahigit 68,000 CDWs sa buong bansa.
“Many of our CDWs lack the tools, training, and compensation they need. This certification is a vital step toward their professionalization,” aniya. “If we want to improve the quality of early childhood education, we must first empower the people delivering it.”
Sinabi ng komisyon sa Year One Report nito na aabot sa 17 percent ng CDWs ang nakapagtapos ng high school at aabot sa 90 percent ang nagtatatrabaho sa non-permanent contracts na kumikita lamang ng P5,000 a month.
“These findings formed the basis of EDCOM 2’s call to “fix the foundations” of education, focusing on early childhood nutrition, access to early childhood care and development (ECCD), and literacy in the early grades,” ayon kay Gatchalian.
Ipinunto naman ni co-chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo, na pangunahing susi ang CDWs sa pagbaka sa lumalalang krisis sa pagtuturo.
“You cannot fix learning outcomes in later years if the foundation is weak. CDWs are on the frontlines, and we owe them training, dignity, and a clear path to job security,” aniya. “This certification equips them with skills in early childhood education, center management, and child development that will enhance care and instruction for young children.”
Pinuri ng EDCOM 2 ang adbokasiya ni Gatchalian sa Senado na nakapaglaan ng P80 milyon para sa NCIII training scholarship na nakapaloob sa 2025 budget.
Ayon kay Romulo: “The new certification also fulfills provisions under the recently enacted ECCD System Act (Republic Act 12199), which mandates upgraded standards and continuous development for CDWs and Child Development Teachers.”
“This is more than a policy win – it’s an investment in our country’s future,” ani Romulo.
Tiniyak ng EDCOM 2 na ipagpapatuloy ang pagsusu;long ng kumprehensibong reporma na susuporta sa frontline education workers, mula early childhood hanggang K-12. Ernie Reyes
