Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday highlighted the need for stronger educational planning to stabilize learning amid climate-related disruptions.
“Our planning systems must adapt and adapt quickly to our new reality. Our education systems must be stable and predictable even in times of emergency,” Angara said at the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia-Pacific.
The Education Secretary cited the recent tropical cyclones that disrupted schools in the Philippines. According to DepEd data, tropical cyclones Julian, Kristine, and Leon collectively affected 1,018,977 learners nationwide.
“Even before the storms hit, we were already in search of an alternative program that can be adapted to resource-strapped schools. Our rationale was clear: Filipino learners, our region’s learners cannot endure any more losses,” Angara said.
Recently, DepEd launched the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) to support education continuity in schools impacted by the recent onslaught of Kristine and Leon through promoting independent and resource-efficient learning in times of crisis.
Angara likewise underscored the value of drawing insights from neighboring countries and collaborating with them to create strategies to make education more accessible and responsive to current challenges.
The UNESCO-led conference aims to foster partnerships among members of the Asian Network of Training and Research Institutions in Educational Planning (ANTRIEP) to integrate evidence-based insights into educational policies.
