MANILA (June 18) – As classes resumed this week, United Nations agencies renewed their strong support for quality and inclusive education in the Philippines.
During a press briefing in Makati City, UNICEF Philippines education chief Akihiro Fushimi emphasized that millions of Filipino children, particularly in vulnerable and remote areas, still lack access to quality education. “We are here as a UN body to support the Philippine government and communities in achieving quality education,” he said.
This message is part of a week-long campaign by UN Philippines for the back-to-school season.
UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Population Fund are supporting various education-related initiatives nationwide, including alternative learning systems, school meals, comprehensive sexuality education, and programs for refugee learners.
Fushimi praised the country’s adoption of the K-to-12 system and stressed the importance of investing in children’s development even before kindergarten. He also warned of a “learning crisis” in Southeast Asia, citing data showing 90% of Grade 5 students in the region cannot read at grade level, and 83% struggle with basic math—figures worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philippines, most Grade 4 students are at a Grade 2 proficiency level, with the gap more pronounced in BARMM.
WFP Deputy Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya pointed to poverty and malnutrition as key contributors to poor learning outcomes. He reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to helping the Philippines reach universal school meal coverage by 2030 under the Global School Meals Coalition.
He also recommended amending Republic Act 11037, which currently limits the reach of government school feeding programs. “We advocate a shift to universal feeding and are ready to help the government develop sustainable financing models,” he said.
