COMMISSION on Filipinos Overseas is set to expand the presence of Philippine schools in countries with large Filipino communities.

CFO Secretary Dante Ang II explained that this initiative aims to ensure Filipino children studying abroad can transition seamlessly back to the Philippine education system, as these schools align their curriculum with the Philippines’.

“We want to ensure that Filipino children studying abroad can easily adapt when they return home. That’s why we’re committed to expanding these schools and making sure their education is recognized in the Philippines,” said Ang.

Currently, 35 Philippine schools operate in countries including Bahrain, East Timor, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

As of December 31, 2022, these schools had 25,000 students enrolled, from pre-elementary to high school levels.

Secretary Ang emphasized that Philippine schools abroad must meet both the host country’s requirements and those of the Philippine government. This includes securing a permit from the host country before seeking accreditation from the Department of Education.