Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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On Global Day of Parents: Gatchalian seeks stronger parental involvement in education
Philippines
National
On Global Day of Parents: Gatchalian seeks stronger parental involvement in education
On Global Day of Parents: Gatchalian seeks stronger parental involvement in education
Published Jun 1, 2023 04:59 am
As the nation celebrates the Global Day of Parents, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for the full enforcement of the law that seeks to strengthen parents’ involvement in education.
Gatchalian is referring to the Parent Effectiveness Service Act or Republic Act No. 11908 which establishes the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program to strengthen the knowledge and skills of parents and parent-substitutes in responding to their parental duties and responsibilities, protecting and promoting children’s rights, fostering positive early childhood development, and advancing children’s educational progress.
The law was inspired by Valenzuela City’s Nanay-Teacher Program, which was implemented with the help of Synergeia Foundation.
The program used to be part of Gatchalian's education advocacy when he was still Valenzuela City mayor.
“Ang ating mga magulang ang ating mga unang guro at nagpapatuloy ang kanilang mahalagang papel sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan (Our parents our our first teachers and they continue to hold a significant role in educating our youth),” Gatchalian said,chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
“Kaya naman mahalagang matulungan natin ang ating mga magulang na magampanan ng epektibo ang kanilang tungkulin sa pagpapalaki ng mga mabubuting mamamayan (That’s why it’s very important to help our parents to effectively fulfill their duties in raising a new generation of good citizens),” he said.
Under the law, cities and municipalities are required to implement parent effectiveness sessions through their respective social welfare and development offices and local government units (LGUs).
Under the program, parents, parent-substitutes with vulnerable children, including those who have children at risk, children in conflict with the law, and children who have been exposed to violence would be prioritized.
The law also provides assistance to solo-parents and their adolescent parents, including their parents or parent-substitutes.
The program’s modules shall cover principles such as the challenges of parenting, keeping children safe from abuse, building the child’s positive behavior, health and nutrition, keeping a healthy physical environment, keeping children safe in times of disaster, and investment in adolescents.