Save the Children Philippines’ Statement on Safe Back to School for SY 2022-2023

News and Press Release

Source: Save the Children

Posted:22 Aug 2022

Originally published:22 Aug 2022Save the Children has set up temporary learning
spaces in five school in Abra to provide learners who were affected by Luzon
Earthquake access to safe face-to-face learning especially as the school year starts.
Save the Children also provided child-friendly space kits and back-to-school kits to
replace their damaged learning materials. Photo by Save the Children Philippines.

Learning must no longer be disrupted – no

matter what it takes.
Save the Children Philippines supports the
mandate on the formal reopening of
 schools for School Year 2022-2023,
provided that the safety of face-to-face
classes are strictly ensured for children
and adults, the protection of their
mental health and well-being are
prioritized, and education systems are
further strengthened.
The Philippines is among the last countries
to reopen schools since the start of the
pandemic. After two and a half years,
the impact of the pandemic-induced
school closure in the country has
become more evident than ever.
The Asian Development Bank reported that
students in Developing Asia, including the
Philippines, lost over half a year of
effective learning on average.[1]
Meanwhile, a recent World Bank report
revealed that more than 90 percent of
Filipino children struggle with reading and
understanding simple texts at age 10.[2]
This problem is even compounded by the
significant number of out-of-school
children which is now close to half a
million.[3]
Save the Children is committed to help
address this education crisis. We call
on the Department of Education
(DepEd), the Department of Health
(DOH), national government agencies,
all local government units (LGUs),
including the Ministry of Basic, Higher
and Technical Education (MBHTE) of
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and all
sectors of society to work together and
ensure the following
Health and safety
 Strictly implement health and safety protocols, ensuring that schools have
adequate ventilation, safe spaces, and proper water, sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) facilities. Students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel should have
access to regular testing and vaccination, as applicable.

Protect well-being – Mental health and

psychosocial support (MHPSS) must be
fully integrated into educational
responses. Increased MHPSS
provisions for teachers, children and
their families should be considered to
help protect their wellbeing and
economic security. Teachers must also
be capacitated in identifying children
experiencing violence and/or neglect,
and in supporting children’s recovery.
Children can also be enrolled in early
childhood care and development
(ECCD) to help prepare them for
formal school.

Strengthen education systems and access

to quality and inclusive education –
Schools should be able to address
educational inequalities and be able to
support the specific needs of children
most impacted by inequality and
discrimination. There should also be
referral mechanisms and contingency
plans for reclosure and reopening of
classes, as well as alternative/ flexible
learning options, as necessary.
Teachers should also be trained in the
assessment of learners’ level of
learning to inform remedial efforts and
provide age-appropriate learning
support. Investment on the digital
literacy of teachers and students is also
critical so they can competently adapt
to the ever-changing demands of the
global education landscape.
It is imperative, that we all take collective
steps to improve the overall quality of
education, make up for lost learning,
and support disadvantaged students as
the school year starts. This includes
investing in data and research, and
implementing 1) concrete catch-up
programs and remedial education,
especially in marginalized
communities; 2) proactive approaches
to reintegrate out-of-school children; 3)
accommodation for children with
disabilities; and 4) improving teachers’
professional development.

All these initiatives must ensure that the

adverse effects of the pandemic do not
cross over to the next generation.
Our conviction is clear: Learning must no
longer be disrupted.

Save the Children Philippines will

continue to work with the DepEd,
MBHTE, teachers and the academe,
the private sector, and other
stakeholders, including parents and
children themselves, in improving the
competencies and learning outcomes of
students, and ensuring that dropouts,
and learning gaps and inequality will
be addressed

Every Filipino child, regardless of who,

what, and where they are, or whatever
their circumstances may be, deserves
the right to learn at all times.
We can give them the future they deserve if
we work hand-in-hand to get our
children safely back to school.

HOW: by the significant number of out-of-school children

which is now close to half a million
WHERE: THE PHILIPPINES IS AMONG THE LAST COUNTIES TO
REOPEN SCHOOLS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC
WHEN: Meanwhile, a recent World Bank report revealed that
more than 90 percent of Filipino children struggle with Reading
and understanding simple texts at age 10
WHAT: Asian Development Bank reported that students in
Developing Asia, including the Philippines, lost over half a year
of effective learning on average
WHO: the Children Philippines supports the mandate on the
formal reopening of schools for School Year 2022-2023,
provided that the safety of face-to-face classes are strictly
ensured for children and adults,
WHY: in improving the competencies and learning outcomes of
students, and ensuring that dropouts, and learning gaps and
inequality will be addressed