QC targets 16,000 pre-schoolers

The Quezon City government said yesterday it expects to provide pre-school education to at least 16,000 children in 42 barangays all over the city.

Teresa Mariano, chief of the Department of Social Services and Development, said they would set up additional seven day-care centers to accommodate more pupils this school year in line of the pre-school program of Mayor Feliciano Belmone Jr.

Mariano noted that in school year 2004-2005, there were 215 day-centers in various barangays in the city. The additional seven centers were needed to accommodate at least 16,000 pre-schoolers expected this year.

"The program of the day care is consonant with the early childhood program of the Department of Education," Mariano said.

She also reported that the department has conducted a survey for the improvement of the day care services of the city government.

The day care program of the city government is part of the "from birth to the grave" program of the city government being pursued by the mayor.

Under the program, the city government will provide the necessary social services from birth of the child up to the needs of the senior citizens to make them productive even after they retire. — Perseus Echeminada