The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Wednesday its partnership with the World Bank that strengthened the agency’s commitment to continue helping educators in the country.
This, after the Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project (TEACEP) was launched on Tuesday at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City, which was led by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte.
The project, which was made possible through a loan agreement with the World Bank, is estimated to benefit around 57,800 K-6 teachers, 6,060 school heads, and 1.88 million students in Grade K-6 in all public elementary schools in three regions of Mindanao.
K-6 teachers are licensed professionals that teach Kindergarten through 6th grade public schools.
“Our collective commitment to the MATATAG Agenda is stronger than ever and we have prioritized aiding the support to improve our teachers’ skills. Today, thank you to the support of the World Bank-International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and with the help of the Department of Finance, we are working to strengthen student learning outcomes in Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and General Santos City), and BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) through the Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project or TEACEP,” Duterte said.
TEACEP, which aims to improve the quality of education and equitable access to teaching in the said regions, will focus on enhancement of literacy and numeracy skills.
It is also expected to aid DepEd in its institutional reform initiatives to enhance teacher professional development and competency standards.
Meanwhile, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand Dr. Ndiamė Diop expressed his support to the TEACEP and to the DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda.
“I reaffirm and reiterate the World Bank’s enthusiastic support for this crucial investment in education. This is an important project for the country that is fully aligned with the MATATAG Agenda which is a formidable guiding framework for interventions in education,” Diop said.
The loan agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the World Bank, which is worth USD110 million, was signed on June 26, 2023, and was declared effective on Aug. 23, 2023. (PNA)
