Unesco execs commend journalists, educators for EFA watch

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) commended Filipino journalists and educators for initiating an Education For All (EFA) watch that will help policy makers know what happening on the ground.

They said the initiative can be further developed and might be adapted for the same program in Indonesia and Timor Leste.

The EFA-watch initiative came after a two-day seminar workshop on education sponsored by Unesco in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC).

It was held at Linden Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City and was attended by selected journalists and educators.

“I am very pleased to know that someone suggested to establish an EFA watch. It’s a good source of information to policy makers and politicians of what’s really going on on the ground,” said Dr. Anwar Al-Said, the head of the education unit of Unesco Office based in Jakarta.

Al-Said said that EFA is an important component to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Al-Said also hailed the Philippine plan to implement a universal kindergarten program, saying it’s one of the major steps taken by the country in years.

The universal kindergarten education was meant to improve the skills of Filipino children at a young age by making it mandatory for children to be in school at age 5.

He explained that “students who made it to kindergarten are doing much better in school.”

The expert also warned the country’s educators not to make any attempt to deregulate the education system.