UNICEF Philippines reaffirms commitment to children’s education through strengthened collaboration with DepEd and EDCOM2

MANILA 13 February 2025 — UNICEF Philippines upholds children’s right to education through strengthened collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and EDCOM2 to end the learning crisis in the country. 

In a recent DepEd-UNICEF review meeting, UNICEF committed to support the education department by giving support to teachers, strengthening the Alternative Learning System, improving early childhood education services, protecting learners from the effects of climate change and disasters, and focusing on the needs of learners in the Bangsamoro region, among others. This is in line with Secretary Sonny Angara’s 5-Point Reform Agenda to address longstanding challenges in education. 

"DepEd certainly considers UNICEF to be one of the biggest allies in education. This partnership has changed and transformed many lives in recent times. This has led to the improvement of basic education in the Philippines," Secretary Angara said.

Similarly, UNICEF commended EDCOM 2 efforts to research and address major challenges in the education sector, mobilizing support and action as noted in their recently released Year 2 report. 

UNICEF support in the development of this report included initial findings in an upcoming study on learning loss for children who started schooling during the pandemic. The study has informed EDCOM 2 and DepEd on the need to focus on Grades 4 to 6, who are lagging by 2 to 3 academic years. This cohort is at risk of not mastering foundational skills, making them even less competitive.  

UNICEF Philippines has also highlighted the low effectiveness of Special Education Fund (SEF) and School Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses(MOOE) spending in improving learning outcomes. Since School MOOE is currently inadequate, SEF is often used to augment payments for utilities and other basic expenses, limiting its potential for specialized items and activities that directly contribute to learning. Better spending is a more effective interim reform than increasing budgets, as shown by the high-performing schools in Gapan City.

EDCOM 2 also adopted UNICEF findings on early childhood education, health, and nutrition. Our Kindergarten to Grade 4 longitudinal study has proven the benefits of early childhood education, but barriers remain. Parents face challenges in sending children to child development centers, and child development workers need capacity building and better compensation. Financing for early childhood care and development must expand.

UNICEF echoes EDCOM 2’s call to fix the foundations and sustain the urgency that prompted Congress to create EDCOM. Learning achievement is low and declining, and higher-order thinking skills are essential to avoid falling behind in the face of disruptive technologies. No less important is the need for better second-chance education, systematic strategies to address climate change, and more investment in early childhood care and development.

UNICEF Philippines’ education programme is made possible with the support of the governments of Germany, Korea and Norway, corporate partners Accenture, Nokia, Teleperformance, Roche and SM Supermalls, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and individual donors under the UNICEF Champions of Children program. 

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