THE UNITED States Agency for International Development partnered with the Department of Education to train more than 500 TV scriptwriters and teacher-broadcasters.

USAID said the partnerships aim to deepen their commitment to produce gender-responsive and socially inclusive DepEd TV episodes across all grade levels and subject areas.

Dr. Thomas LeBlanc, USAID Philippines’ Office of Education director, said the project seeks to ensure the success of learners, “especially girls in the most difficult and vulnerable conditions to learn, to earn, and to have their voices heard.”

“The partnership between USAID and DepEd is one step to promoting digital inclusion, especially among young children – girls and boys, of all abilities – wherever they are in the Philippines,” LeBlanc said.

Education Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua said that with USAID’s support, DepEd will be using technology to ensure inclusive education.

“All children, regardless of their gender, race, beliefs, and social status must be assured of quality education, may it be in traditional classrooms or through a digital approach of learning,” Del Pascua stressed.

USAID will support the addition of Filipino sign language insets and subtitles to 200 episodes of DepEd TV.

It will also assist in the conversion of 200 episodes to radio-based instruction, translation of 50 episodes to mother tongue languages, and production of 16 new DepEd TV episodes in English and Filipino subjects.

“The assistance is part of the four-year USAID’s All Children Reading Philippines project with a funding of P253.67 million ($5 million). It aims to support DepEd in improving reading outcomes for early grade learners,” USAID said.