THE SECOND Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and its partner organizations have trained more than 200 participants from youth-serving groups nationwide to conduct arts-based consultations aimed at gathering young people’s experiences and concerns about education.

The initiative has drawn 214 organizations, of which 138 initially qualified based on their capacity to engage young people, referral systems, and submission of acceptable safeguarding documents.

The participating organizations represent all 18 regions of the country and include student organizations, non-governmental organizations, community-based youth groups, and groups from the Bangsamoro region.

The consultations will use theater, visual arts, creative writing, and other creative activities to explore issues affecting learners, including literacy, bullying and school safety, home and school environments, and social media and gadget use.

EDCOM 2 is implementing the initiative with AHA Learning Center, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Save the Children Philippines, and UP Diliman Ugnayan ng Pahinungód.

During the orientation, participants took part in movement exercises and poem writing to demonstrate how creative activities can help young people express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to communicate through conventional consultations.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said young people experience the effects of education policies daily but are rarely given sufficient opportunities to express their views.

Yee said creative activities such as drawing, acting, and writing could help policymakers better understand why learners face particular challenges, providing insights that surveys alone may not capture.

The participating organizations will conduct consultations in their respective communities from October 19 to November 7, following an online orientation on the consultation module and a separate session on safeguarding protocols.

They are expected to submit their findings to EDCOM 2 on November 12 and 13 for consolidation and use in policy analysis and recommendations, including a policy note addressing issues raised by young people.

Safeguarding remains a key concern, as only 51, or 37 percent, of the 138 initially qualified organizations reported having a safeguarding or child protection policy.

To protect participants, the initiative will emphasize parental consent, youth assent, appropriate data-sharing arrangements, and the anonymization of participants’ insights.

EDCOM 2 and its partners are encouraging participating groups to reach young people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those whose experiences are often overlooked in education policy discussions.

The initiative aims to ensure that learners’ voices from across the country help shape education reforms that respond to their actual needs and experiences.