PASIG CITY, April 25, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd) has created the Balangkas ng Nagkakaisang Sambayanan (BANSA), the agency’s national peace framework, to strengthen the Department’s commitment to upholding a culture of peace, and the call for safer and conflict-free schools and learning institutions.

“DepEd is fully committed to ensuring the protection of learners and schools in conflict-affected areas and the continuity of education during periods of armed conflict. We also want to guarantee that the right of all citizens to quality and accessible education at all levels and for the right of children is protected,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

Based on the DepEd Order No. 16, series of 2022, the Department will actively participate in keeping the peace and order amid conflicts in the country through initiatives and projects in delivering quality and inclusive basic education under the K-12 program.

The Department’s peace framework highlighted the agency’s need to uphold children’s rights in basic education, promote their welfare, and enhance their opportunities to grow and live.

Furthermore, the BANSA outline shall be guided by good governance, transparency, culture and conflict-sensitive, and empowerment, and has identified Access to Quality Education, Equity Responsive Initiatives, and Character Formation as the most effective strategies for the initiative.

DepEd also expressed its commitment to proactively partake in inter-agency meetings and engagements to amplify the importance of education and the safety of the learners and teachers amid localized or national disputes.

“DepEd officials and personnel are enjoined to adopt this Balangkas ng Nagkakaisang Sambayanan. BANSA will serve as DepEd’s Peace Framework in line with the government’s thrust of inclusive and sustainable peace through the whole-of-nation approach in achieving good governance,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua.

Some of the provisions from the recently released DepEd Order are in line with the DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2019 or the National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace.

To oversee the Department’s participation in peacebuilding initiatives, the DepEd Central Office BANSA Peace Core Team will be established, composing representatives from the Offices of the Undersecretary for Administration and Curriculum and Instruction, and the Alternative Learning System Task Force. They will also be joined by the Indigenous Peoples Education Office, Planning Service, Public Affairs Service, Legal Service, Information and Communications Technology Service, Bureau of Learner Support Services, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service.

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