THE DEPARTMENT of Education partnered with the Civil Society Organization Education Cluster in adopting an open participatory monitoring and evaluation platform as part of its commitment the Open Government Partnership for the 5th National Action Plan 2019-2022.

“This partnership agreement defines our responsibilities and our commitments to the Open Government Partnership 5th National Action Plan. The delivery of education services is more meaningful and effective and relevant if there is shared responsibility among the various stakeholders,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The mechanism also seeks to strengthen the capability of the department in monitoring and accounting investments. It can determine if programs reached the rightful recipient public schools, matched the actual needs on the ground and served the intended learning outcomes, Briones added.

“Let us also be mindful and be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, integrity, partnership, consultation, mutual empowerment, respect for internal processes, sustainability, and national interest. This event is a call to action. We shall not falter and we will remain resolute in fulfilling our commitment today and beyond,” Education Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla shared.

“For this to succeed, we need the whole-of-government and whole-of-society perspective approaches and actions, and this will lead us to policy coherence and to new ways of working that will engage the CSOs, the private sector, and the stakeholder communities and individuals,” Sevilla emphasized.

Meanwhile, E-NET Philippines President and CSO Commitment Holders for Education Representative Professor Flora Arellano emphasized that the partnership reflects the collective commitment to reach out to the marginalized, excluded, and vulnerable learners in the last mile schools.

“The MOA signing is a celebration of open governance in the education sector and a milestone in enhancing transparency and accountability in education service delivery,” DBM Undersecretary Rolando Toledo said.