Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay emphasized the need to enhance early childhood education to improve the quality of Philippine education.
Binay believes the education sector should prioritize developing students’ basic literacy and numeracy skills in their early years. According to her, this foundation will better equip them to handle more complex knowledge and skills as they progress through their education.
“We must focus on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) starting from daycare… Foundation is key. Trying to bridge the learning gap by Grade 5 or Grade 6 might be too late,” Binay said.
She stressed that basic proficiency in reading, math, and science should be established from preschool to Grade 3 to ensure students acquire essential skills, such as reading comprehension, basic mathematical concepts, and foundational knowledge in science.
The mayor referenced the K-12 basic education program of the Department of Education (DepEd), which aims to produce skilled and highly employable senior high school graduates who can enter the workforce after graduation.
“The question is, did they have a solid foundation during K to 10 to make them employable after senior high? Even if they are taught skills in senior high, lacking foundational skills like basic English and numeracy makes it difficult for them to get hired,” Binay explained.
She also highlighted the importance of addressing learning gaps by Grade 3.
“Poor literacy and numeracy levels should be tackled before Grade 3 through appropriate interventions. If not, many students may fall behind and struggle with more advanced lessons, potentially leading to dropout,” Binay warned.
Under her administration, Makati has strengthened ECCD through innovative initiatives, including launching a Pre-Kindergarten program for four to five-year-olds not yet eligible for Kindergarten. Equipped with a pre-K kit that includes a complete set of modules, learners are taught basic social skills, hygiene, and foundational skills to prepare them for success in Kindergarten.
In 2023, the city also launched Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education and Development), providing nutritious snacks and beverages to over 42,000 public elementary school students during school days.
Makati continues to implement Project MILES (Mathematics Intensive Learning Enhancement for Students), which aims to improve the math competencies of Grade 1 to Grade 10 students.
The city has likewise invested millions annually in the Singaporean math software program “Koobits,” covering honoraria for teachers conducting the program.
Since 2024, qualified students enrolled in the Special Science and Math Curriculum at selected public elementary and high schools in Makati have also received a monthly stipend of P1,500 to attract more students to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational track.