MANILA, Philippines- Ipinaalam ng Department of Education sa Estados Unidos na ang suspensyon ng US Agency for International Development funding na nagkakahalaga ng $94 million o P4 billion para sa limang programa nito “may pose challenges to the progress made in enhancing basic education access and quality.”
Sinabi ni Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara na gagawin lahat ng DepEd ang makakaya nito para mapanatili ang mga programang apektado ng suspensyon ng USAID-funded programs.
Hiniling naman ng DepEd sa USAID ang tama at maayos na turnover ng project materials para sa episyenteng paggamit para sa mga proyekto, at palakasin ang kakayahan ng Curriculum and Teaching Strand na pagsamahin ang mga mahahalagang project interventions sa umiiral na sistema ng departamento.
PInabilis ng DepEd ang textbook procurement nito para sa Grade 2, 5 at 8 at tiniyak na ang textbooks ay makaaabot sa mga silid-aralan sa tamang oras para sa pagbubukas ng School Year 2025-2026.
“We will exhaust all means to sustain these programs, ensuring that the education of our learners is not disrupted. DepEd will maximize its existing budget, engage with existing and new partners, and absorb key components of these projects,” ang sinabi ni Angara.
Sa kabilang dako, sa liham ng Kalihim kay US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, sinabi ni Angara na naghahanap ang DepEd ng alternatibong pondo para ipagpatuloy ang mga programa subalit umaasa siya “that considerations be made regarding the impact of this suspension on ongoing projects.”
“These programs align with DepEd’s commitment to strengthening basic education and promoting equitable access to quality learning opportunities supported by the DepEd’s 5-point reform agenda,” ang winika pa rin ni Angara.
“The suspension of these initiatives may delay the achievement of these goals, potentially impacting the learners, educators, and communities that benefit from them. Any disruption to these initiatives may pose challenges to the progress made in enhancing basic education access and quality,” dagdag na pahayag nito.
Samantala, ang mga proyektong apektado ng nasabing suspensyon ng USAID ay ang:
Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) program,
Improving Learning Outcomes for the Philippines (ILO-PH) program,
Strengthening Inclusive Education for Blind/Dear Children (Gabay) project,
Nationwide Tracer Study of DepEd Alternative Learning System (ALS) Junior High School Completers and Learners for School Year 2022-2023, at ang
Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth (Opportunity 2.0) program
