DepEd gets $1.5-M grant from Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has received a grant of $1.5 million from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) to develop public kindergarten schools, particularly those in poor communities.

DepEd is pushing its program to set up kindergarten in all public elementary schools following the enactment of the Kindergarten Law, making kindergarten a requisite to entry to Grade 1.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) administers the JFPR pursuant to an agreement ADB has entered into with the government of Japan. 

Activities to improve public kindergarten schools will be implemented by the Aklat, Gabay, Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation headed by President Aquino's sister, Aurora "Pinky" Aquino-Abellada.

The project aims to support DepEd's K+12 program, particularly in the institutionalization of kindergarten through classroom constructions, curriculum development and teacher trainings.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro yesterday signed a letter of agreement with Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Aquino-Abellada, and ADB South East Asia regional director Kunio Senga for the grant in ceremonies held at the DepEd central office in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Luistro said the grant was a "most welcome development" because it affirms DepEd's position on the importance of basic education.

"Kindergarten is a very important building block in producing quality graduates of basic education, so we should really start on a solid footing by preparing our young learners very well," he said.

The grant will finance expanded access to kindergarten education by providing necessary school infrastructure and facilities. It will also enhance the capability of teachers by providing them trainings and workshops.

It will likewise engage other education stakeholders in the community by building sustainable partnerships with civil society, corporate sector, and local non-government organizations (NGOs). The grant will also allocate provision for project monitoring and evaluation.