Recognizing how the environment becomes more complex and rapidly changing for learners, a child rights group underscored the need to demonstrate different approaches to address their difficulties.

During this year’s celebration of International Literacy Day, Save the Children Philippines gathered multidisciplinary stakeholders together to build bright futures for Filipino children through education.

“Education is a vital, fundamental right. Every child should receive an education no matter their circumstances,” said Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer Alberto Muyot.

Multilateral and bilateral partners, donors, corporates, and prospective partners joined the forum “Learning for All, At All Times” which provided a platform for partners to learn more and invest in Save the Children’s education programs that demonstrate different approaches to addressing the difficulties of learners in the Philippines.

These programs include, among others: early childhood care and development, adaptive learning, inclusive education, teachers’ training and professional development, education in emergencies, and other initiatives that Save the Children specifically designed to respond to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, emergencies, and other challenges affecting children’s learning.

After two and a half years, the group noted the impact of the pandemic-induced school closure in the country has become more evident than ever.

“More than 85 percent of Filipino children now struggle with reading and understanding simple texts at age 10,” it said.

“The Philippines was one of the last few countries to transition back to face-to-face learning after the Covid-19 pandemic struck,” it added.

Muyot, a former Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary, said that Save the Children made addressing this problem of education inequity a “core priority.”

“We will continue implementing a broad range of programs to bring us and the children we work with closer to achieving our goal of learning for all, at all times,” he added.

Addressing learning gaps

Among the programs of Save the Children Philippines to help bridge learning gaps is Project ARAL (Accessing to Resources for Alternative Learning).

The program was integrated by the DepEd and several local government units into their program, allowing the project to reach and support the continued learning of 356,254 children ---- especially during the lockdown.

Meanwhile, its KASALI (Education for All) Project supported over 78,000 children, including those with disabilities, in accessing inclusive education, enrollment assistance, and protection services.

The child rights organization also advocated for the passage of R.A. 11650 or the “Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act.”

“When we hear children talk about their hopes and dreams amidst the realities that they face every day, we are reminded that they deserve better,” said Save the Children Philippines Chief of Programs Rowena Cordero.

With the rapidly changing environment, Cordero said that children’s learning goes beyond the classroom walls. “Thus, our responses also have to be integrated and responsive to the different challenges they experience,” she explained.

Save the Children Philippines continues to actively work with the government, the private sector, civil society organization partners, and other stakeholders --- including children --- to ensure that “children continue to learn, survive, and be protected at all times.”