If world leaders and ministers want to accelerate addressing equity gaps in education, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones underscored the need to implement specialized programs for the affected sector.
Briones highlighted the need for these specialized programs during her presentation in a plenary session at the Education World Forum (EWF) 2022 last May 22 to 25.
For these equity programs to be effective, Briones also emphasized the importance of “budgetary support and precise targeting.”
Meanwhile, Briones also shared the two key programs of DepEd during the 2022 EWF: the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and the Last Mile Schools Program.
“I am glad that during my presentation, when I showed two videos about the ALS and Last Mile Schools program, the majority of the participants in the forum were moved and our efforts surely captured their hearts,” Briones said.
Briones said that during her tenure as the Education Secretary, “we made sure that these programs would also address education gaps, most especially in far-flung areas where there is difficulty in access to quality basic education.”
During the EWF plenary, Briones was joined by Director of Education and Skills OECD Andreas Schleicher, Minister of Education and Vocational Training of Djibouti Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud, and Education Outcomes Fund CEO Dr. Amel Karboul.
With the theme “Education: Building Forward Together Stronger, Bolder, Better," education ministers from different parts of the world gathered to share experiences and draw lessons from initiatives, especially during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Different education chiefs also discussed issues and shared perspectives on COVID-19 response, equity, technology, teaching and learning, learning recovery, and building forward into the future through nine plenary sessions complemented by six ministerial exchanges.
The event was participated by 112 ministers from 107 countries, deputy ministers, other high officials, and other education experts worldwide.
During the event, Briones also corrected “misconceptions” about the Philippines during the sessions.
Aside from Briones, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña was also part of the Philippine delegation.