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PASIG CITY, January 24, 2023 – Ahead of the agency’s Basic Education Report 2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday observed the annual International Day of Education (IDE) by highlighting initiatives to realize Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 (Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education).
“This year’s theme ‘To Invest in People, Prioritize Education’ affirms that the new administration is on the right track. At the UN Transforming Education Summit in September last year, President Marcos announced our commitment to recover the learning losses from the pandemic and rebuild our education to be more inclusive, relevant and resilient to future shocks and disruptions,” Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte said.
“Let us work together to ensure that our education system empowers our young people to navigate lives, challenges with 21st century skills, resilience, leadership, and strength of character as they join us in reshaping and rebuilding a better and stronger Philippines,” VP-Secretary Duterte added.
The said activity is primarily envisioned to generate visibility from local to global level on prioritizing education to reach the SDGs ahead of the SDG Summit, building on the outcomes of the United Nation’s Transforming Education Summit.
2022 Global Student Prize Finalists Ms. Leah Angela Cioco and Mr. Zanti Alfonso Gayares discussed their respective perceptions on “Unmuting the Youth: Seeing Philippine education in the eyes of this generation.”
Meanwhile, grade school learner Mithi Chua, and ALS high school learner Richard A. Roces expressed their hopes for education sector to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z., Duterte, and the Department.
The Department’s celebration of IDE was participated by United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, Director of UNESCO Office, Jakarta Mr. Mohamed Djelid, and SEAMEO Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Specialist Dr. Kamaleswaran Jayarajah, among others.
DepEd has likewise recognized the Institute of APEC Collaborative Education (IACE), KOICA, Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Global Peace Foundation, World Bank, UNICEF, and JICA for their continuous support to promote quality education.
As proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), IDE is celebrated yearly on January 24 to promote the role of education in peace and development. This year, the UNGA invited all Member States to observe the IDE in support of the efforts of all Member States relevant to the realization of SGD 4.
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