The Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated a stronger commitment to inclusive education in line with its efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in education.

“As all of us know, our battle cry is no one should be left behind and that includes people with disabilities and special requirements,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Through the country’s hosting of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report, the DepEd together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) assured that they will continue to foster learners through inclusive education.

Briones also expressed her support for inclusive education and shared how the Philippines responded to different challenges in education, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters.

“Constitution does not make any distinction between and among people from different groups or with different needs,” Briones said. “It just says that it should be available to all Filipino children, to all Filipino learners –  and this is why, when we have our annual crisis, whether natural disasters or natural events as well and political interventions… we always make sure that education will continue and that no one will be left behind,” she added.

This year’s GEM monitoring report aimed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). With the theme “Inclusion and education: All means All,” the GEM Report also serves as a call to action for the provision of inclusive education.

Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio explained the efforts of the agency in adjusting and advancing the curriculum based on the needs of the learners - especially in the establishment of the K to 12 program.

San Antonio said that the fundamental right of every Filipino citizen is the main thrust of Republic Act 10533 or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” which recognizes the diversity of the country’s learners, schools, and communities.

“Seeking to be inclusive, the K to 12 has broadened the goals of basic education by providing a wider range of options not only for higher education, but also for opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship,” said San Antonio.

As part of the 2020 GEM Report National Launch, there was a virtual back-to-back discussion conducted by DepEd and UNESCO regional office in Jakarta focusing on inclusion in education and its implementation, adjustment in the school policy during COVID-19, horizontal collaboration between government and non-government stakeholders, educational budget and spending, grants for students and social programs to support education.

The 2020 GEM Report cited the various challenges in providing inclusive education. For instance, the report cited that “education opportunities continue to be unequally distributed.” 

It also pointed out the reality that the rapidly changing world is facing major challenges from COVID-19 pandemic, to climate change, conflict, displacement and technology.

UNESCO Assistant Director General for Education Stefania Giannini noted that the report’s messages are precisely about that crisis and challenges in education. “The call to action –we should seek to pave the way for more resilient, equal and inclusive societies,” she said.