“My dream is to have more rooms and more teachers. We only have two teachers because other teachers are afraid to come here. I hope we will have peace and order so that we can continue to go to school,” Aisha from Lebbuh Primary School in Lamitan, Basilan wrote in her letter to the Vice President.
Viah from Bagumbayan Central School in Legazpi City thanked the Secretary for taking care of teachers, saying “happy teachers will make them efficient, effective, and dedicated teachers.”
“It will greatly help if we have bond papers, art materials, printers and good internet connection so we can easily print our work sheets and test papers,” wrote Choleen from Oranbo Elementary School in Pasig City.
Matuy Balenton, a child belonging to the Aeta tribe studying in Dinalupihan, Bataan wrote, “My wish is for us to have food. I hope I can also have uniforms,” while Alhadz from Naungan Primary School in Tawi-Tawi wrote, “My only wish is for us to have a big boat that we can use even if it is windy and the waves are strong, so that we can get to school safely.” Alhadz lives far from the town and gets to school by riding a boat.
For this year’s International Day of Education, UNICEF asked learners all over the Philippines to write letters to Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Sara Duterte on what they need to be able to enjoy their full rights to education. Aptly called “Letters to VP Sara,” the initiative placed children’s voices at the core of efforts to address the learning crisis. The learners’ needs were diverse: better peace and order situation in their localities for uninterrupted learning, facilities for LGBTQ+ students, learning programs for children with disabilities, and school development projects in their communities. Some also shared their dreams and career aspirations.
UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov presented the letters to Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte containing wishes of learners all over the Philippines.
“Children should have a say in matters that affect them. We hope that adults will continue to consult children on how they can learn better. As we tackle learning challenges, let’s empower children to participate meaningfully in their schools and communities,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
Today, 244 million children and youth globally are out of school. In the Philippines, 2.6 million Filipinos aged 6 to 19 were not attending school in 2020. There is a crisis in foundational learning, as well as an alarming decline in the literacy and numeracy skills among young learners. Many schools in the Philippines lack facilities and human resources to help children with their lessons. Vulnerable children such as those living in poverty, those living in isolated, disaster-prone, and conflict areas, children with disabilities, and children belonging to indigenous communities fare far worse.
Education authorities are tackling education challenges through its Basic Education Development Plan 2030. This January, DepEd is presenting the Basic Education Report (BER) 2023 and the Education Agenda.
UNICEF has been a long-standing education partner, advocating for children’s right to education in the Philippines for over 75 years. To help children recover learning after COVID-19 and other emergencies, UNICEF provides technical and material support, supports vulnerable children such as children with disabilities, helps local governments with learning recovery plans, and repairs schools damaged by typhoons.
