Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) — The World Bank has approved a project that aims to boost learning outcomes of nearly 2 million students from kindergarten to grade 6 (K-6) in Mindanao.
The multilateral lender said the Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project (TEACEP), valued at $110 million, will deliver professional development opportunities to over 60,000 teachers and train school leaders and supervisors.
TEACEP builds on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) existing coaching program, transforming it into a more advanced and comprehensive professional development initiative for teachers and instructional leaders, the World Bank said in a statement over the weekend.
“Concentrating on enhancing literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional skills for K-6 students, the coaching program will also emphasize peacebuilding, gender-sensitive instruction, climate and disaster resilience, and inclusive education,” it added.
TEACEP will also support the distribution of digital materials and physical resources, airing of radio-based instructions and TV programs to “last-mile schools,” and provide solar-powered transistor radios with built-in lights to schools with limited access to electricity, the bank added.
The project will be implemented in Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Bangsamaro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“These regions, which have high dropout rates, below-average enrollment rates, low performance in reading and math scores, and significant indigenous populations, offer invaluable insights for national educational improvements,” the World Bank said.
Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand noted that TEACEP is part of the bank’s continuing support to boost human capital in the Philippines.
“Education is a key driver of development, as it equips people with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in the workforce, contribute to the economy, and improve their standard of living,” he explained.
