DepEd commits to sustaining USAID programs despite funding freeze

On Thursday, February 13, the Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated its commitment to sustaining USAID-supported programs despite a funding freeze.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that DepEd will 'exhaust all means' to maintain these initiatives, ensuring educational continuity for learners and mitigating the impact of the suspension.

The suspension affects early-grade literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, and support for special needs students, impacting around P4 billion worth of projects.

DepEd is implementing strategies such as requesting project materials transfer from USAID, exploring alternative funding sources, and accelerating textbook procurement to mitigate the effects of the freeze.

The department highlighted key initiatives like ABC+, ILO-Ph, Gabay, ALS Tracer Study, and Opportunity 2.0, which are crucial for ongoing education reforms and align with DepEd's five-point reform agenda.

Angara stressed that DepEd will maximize existing resources, engage with partners, and absorb key project components to ensure President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s educational reform agenda remains on track.

In a letter to US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Angara expressed hope for reconsideration regarding the impact of this suspension on ongoing projects and emphasized continued partnership for shared goals of educational development.