EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday participated in the Extraordinary Global Education Meeting co-organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization along with the governments of Ghana, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Briones emphasized the Philippines always prioritized education in accordance with its Constitution as it receives the highest portion of the national budget. However, due to the Covid19 pandemic, there was intense competition for national resources and the challenge was to defend the continuity of learning.

“We are doing all we can to ensure continuity of learning,” she said.

The Philippines is doing its best so that the delivery of learning can be done in a safe of a manner as possible. As the world seeks to recover from the Covid19 pandemic, “education is a sound investment for transformation,” Briones noted.

The DepEd chief shared that enrollment for elementary schools in 2020  was even higher than in previous years. Despite the challenges, “there will be equity and quality gains in education in the Philippines,” she concluded.

Heads of State, Government and Ministers from 70 countries as well as executives of a number of international organizations addressed the event, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The GEM adopted a declaration on the importance of promoting and protecting the right to education of all learners, especially girls and the most vulnerable, during the Covid19 pandemic and recovery phase.

The GEM highlighted the need for action and cooperation in three areas:

1. Maintaining and strengthening domestic and international financial support to the education sector;
2. Safe reopening of schools; and
3. Narrowing the digital divide.

Countries and stakeholders at the meeting pledged to monitor progress towards the fulfillment of the 2030 Education Agenda and the action areas identified in the GEM Declaration.

The Philippines is a member of the 2030 Education Agenda Global Steering Committee and actively participated in the drafting of the GEM Declaration. Suggestions made by the Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to UNESCO were incorporated in the text, particularly on addressing the digital divide and enhancing international cooperation for developing countries.