Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has approved an ordinance establishing a Learning Recovery Trust Fund for cash donations that will help learners in the city’s public schools as they recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The local government said the global education crisis was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said that the World Bank has estimated a 90.9 percent learning poverty rate in the country, where around nine out of 10 children aged 10 are unable to read and understand a simple text.
Citing the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), it added that the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic includes lower future income, productivity, and competitiveness.
(QC Mayor Joy Belmonte/ File Photo)
The city government said it has been working with the Department of Education School Divisions Office to implement programs that will address the needs of the learners in the city.
City Ordinance SP-3182, which establishes the QC Learning Recovery Trust Fund, will promote collaboration and partnership between the city and stakeholders in education, Belmonte said.
Cash donations received under the ordinance will be intended for the implementation of various recovery programs for QC's public school students.
The Learning Recovery Trust Fund serves as a dedicated account for educational initiatives as the city government receives various forms of assistance. It was introduced by City Councilors Dorothy Delarmente, Aly Medalla, and Shay Liban, and was approved by the mayor on April 28, 2023.
Under the ordinance, a Fund Management Team, composed of members of the Local School Board was also created to oversee the allocation of funds with utmost care and prudence, the local government said.
Belmonte urged the businesses and associations in the city to invest in the learners as they will be their future workforce
“A crisis of this magnitude requires all stakeholders to adopt a unified focus in prioritizing the needs and interests of our children. Our approach should be comprehensive and coordinated, which would demand the participation of multiple stakeholders including educators, parents, policymakers, and private organizations,” Belmonte said.
“The current learning crisis is a disturbing phenomenon that ultimately affects our youth. Our strategy, among other initiatives, is to provide targeted remediation to students who need it most, focusing on foundational skills, such as Reading and Math, which are essential for success in other subjects,” Mayor Belmonte.
The local government said that those who want to help or donate may contact [email protected]