Only 13 pct of Filipinos aged 3 or 4 receive early child education: Gatchalian | ABS-CBN
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Only 13 pct of Filipinos aged 3 or 4 receive early child education: Gatchalian
Only 13 pct of Filipinos aged 3 or 4 receive early child education: Gatchalian
MANILA — Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday proposed to strengthen the early childhood education and care in the Philippines, stressing that prioritizing the "critical years" of children will help improve their learning outcomes.
MANILA — Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday proposed to strengthen the early childhood education and care in the Philippines, stressing that prioritizing the "critical years" of children will help improve their learning outcomes.
In his presentation during the Annual Membership Meeting of the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) in Makati City, Gatchalian lamented that only a few children are attending day care centers in the Philippines.
In his presentation during the Annual Membership Meeting of the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) in Makati City, Gatchalian lamented that only a few children are attending day care centers in the Philippines.
"Early childhood education is completely devolved to the local government units. All the day care and the day care teachers are run and hired by local government units, but unfortunately the participation rate for 3 to 4 years old is quite low, about 13 percent," the senator said.
"Early childhood education is completely devolved to the local government units. All the day care and the day care teachers are run and hired by local government units, but unfortunately the participation rate for 3 to 4 years old is quite low, about 13 percent," the senator said.
The report from the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), co-chaired by Gatchalian, showed that early childhood education is not equally accessible throughout the country, despite the enactment of Republic Act 6972 which required each province, city or municipality to establish a day care center in every barangay.
The report from the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), co-chaired by Gatchalian, showed that early childhood education is not equally accessible throughout the country, despite the enactment of Republic Act 6972 which required each province, city or municipality to establish a day care center in every barangay.
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The EDCOM II report also revealed that only 36% have at least one child development center (CDC) per day care, or 15,207 out of 42,027 barangays in the country.
The EDCOM II report also revealed that only 36% have at least one child development center (CDC) per day care, or 15,207 out of 42,027 barangays in the country.
"This is something that we really need to continuously work on," he said.
"This is something that we really need to continuously work on," he said.
Gatchalian said that the country could learn from Vietnam where they prioritize early childhood care and development over senior high school learning.
Gatchalian said that the country could learn from Vietnam where they prioritize early childhood care and development over senior high school learning.
"In Vietnam, there is now a move to institutionalize education for 3 and 4 years old. Because they consider 3 to 4 years old as critical years for improving their education system," he said.
"In Vietnam, there is now a move to institutionalize education for 3 and 4 years old. Because they consider 3 to 4 years old as critical years for improving their education system," he said.
The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), for its part, shares the view that local government units (LGUs) should be strengthened and supported by the national government so it can implement the law better.
The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), for its part, shares the view that local government units (LGUs) should be strengthened and supported by the national government so it can implement the law better.
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PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said, LGUs are facing various challenges, especially in terms of funding.
PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said, LGUs are facing various challenges, especially in terms of funding.
"When we talk about devolution it does not mean na iyong LGU na iyong bahala. Kayo na bahala. What it means is that they have more autonomy, they have more accountability, but then resources... there will still be resources coming from the national level, coupled with resources from the LGUs themselves," she said.
"When we talk about devolution it does not mean na iyong LGU na iyong bahala. Kayo na bahala. What it means is that they have more autonomy, they have more accountability, but then resources... there will still be resources coming from the national level, coupled with resources from the LGUs themselves," she said.
(When we talk about devolution it does not mean that your LGU is in charge. You are in charge. What it means is that they have more autonomy, they have more accountability.)
(When we talk about devolution it does not mean that your LGU is in charge. You are in charge. What it means is that they have more autonomy, they have more accountability.)
PBEd said it is also willing to provide support LGUs through resources and materials.
PBEd said it is also willing to provide support LGUs through resources and materials.
"One of the things that the private sector can do is actually and is really provide support for literacy and numeracy. So marami kaming katrabaho at mga ka-partner who actually have literacy and numeracy programs," Raagas said.
"One of the things that the private sector can do is actually and is really provide support for literacy and numeracy. So marami kaming katrabaho at mga ka-partner who actually have literacy and numeracy programs," Raagas said.
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(So we have many coworkers and partners who actually have literacy and numeracy programs.)
(So we have many coworkers and partners who actually have literacy and numeracy programs.)
"In fact the kiddie learning train is one project that PBEd has implemented. It is private sector-led. It has application or a model which students can use in the classroom and it doesn't have to be taught by a teacher," she added.
"In fact the kiddie learning train is one project that PBEd has implemented. It is private sector-led. It has application or a model which students can use in the classroom and it doesn't have to be taught by a teacher," she added.
PBEd is also advocating for the programs that will fight malnutrition among young learners.
PBEd is also advocating for the programs that will fight malnutrition among young learners.
"One-third of our five-year olds are malnourished or stunted, and when that happens, iyong cognitive development ng kanilang brains nagkakaproblema na iyan, and it becomes irreversible. So pagpasok nila sa schools, there will be problems already," she added.
"One-third of our five-year olds are malnourished or stunted, and when that happens, iyong cognitive development ng kanilang brains nagkakaproblema na iyan, and it becomes irreversible. So pagpasok nila sa schools, there will be problems already," she added.
(One-third of our five-year olds are malnourished or stunted, and when that happens, the cognitive development of their brains has problems, and it becomes irreversible. So when they enter schools, there will be problems already.)
(One-third of our five-year olds are malnourished or stunted, and when that happens, the cognitive development of their brains has problems, and it becomes irreversible. So when they enter schools, there will be problems already.)
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"Alam natin na many companies really have special interest in nutrition, but the most important, I think is it would be good to really coordinate with the local government units," she also said.
"Alam natin na many companies really have special interest in nutrition, but the most important, I think is it would be good to really coordinate with the local government units," she also said.
(We know that many companies really have special interest in nutrition, but the most important, I think is that it would be good to really coordinate with the local government units.)
(We know that many companies really have special interest in nutrition, but the most important, I think is that it would be good to really coordinate with the local government units.)
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