Hope in the Highlands

Over 270,000 young children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are missing out on early childhood education. In Lanao del Sur alone, more than 50,000 children aged 3 to 4 are not enrolled in any learning program.  

But in a small barangay in the municipality of Wao, small but meaningful steps are being taken to change that. 

For years, Teacher Sarah would begin her mornings inside their small day care center, standing in front of a small group of children doing her best with what little she had. She remembers when her monthly allowance as a Child Development Worker barely reached ₱1,000. Back then, her class had fewer than 15 students and even some of them would eventually stop attending. 

Today, her mornings look and feel entirely different. 

UNICEF, through the generous support of the European Union, has worked to strengthen the early childhood development (ECD) program in Lanao del Sur. In Mimbuaya, this has led to the improvement of child-friendly learning spaces and provision of age-appropriate educational materials by the local government unit. “Before the programme, our class enrollment was low with only 15 learners, and some students would drop out,” Teacher Sarah shared. “Now, it has increased, and the parents readily help me manage the children during all activities.”  

Parents as Partners 

Teacher Sarah has witnessed the growing involvement of parents. Through the combined efforts of the local government and dedicated Child Development Workers, more families have come to understand the importance of early learning in their children’s development. 

Lovely Mamayandung is one of those parents. Her four-year-old son, Salman, attends Teacher Sarah’s class. She sees how her child benefits not just from what he learns, but from the presence of supportive adults around him. 

This shift in mindset has not only led to higher enrollment in the early learning center of Mimbuaya — it has also created stronger collaboration between homes and classrooms. Parents now volunteer to help during class, assist with maintaining the facilities, and contribute food and supplies to support the children’s daily needs. 

Local Government Steps Up 

Wao has emerged as one of the model municipalities in Lanao del Sur. Determined to address the root causes of poverty and child rights violations — such as poor access to education, health care, nutrition, safe water, protection, and participation — the local government has made early childhood development a top priority. 

One of the most remarkable outcomes of the program is the creation of the Municipal Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Coordinating Committee of Wao. Members have received training in program management and planning, which helped them create a clear plan and budget for the program in 2025. 

The policy shifts have had a visible impact. The local government of Wao passed an ordinance in 2024 to increase the benefits and recognition of Child Development Workers like Teacher Sarah that the commitment is not only at the classroom level but embedded in local governance.

A Brighter Future Ahead

For Teacher Sarah, the transformation is not only about numbers but about how the community now values children. “Before this program, the parents did not understand the importance of children attending day care classes. With the increased support from the barangay officials, parents, especially mothers are now highly engaged. They even pool their resources to provide meals for all the children during class.”

As another morning of learning winds down, learners pack away their toys, slip on their shoes, and prepare to go home. Their parents wait patiently outside the center, ready to walk them back with stories and smiles in hand.