UNESCO seeks USD6 million to build girls education center in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, July 8 (PNA) –- About USD6 million funding is being sought from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the establishment of an education center designed to improve the quality of life for girls living in poverty.

The proposal came out after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Jakarta pushed for the improvement of life of girls from poor families in the city. This is up for implementation between 2017 to 2019.

“The proposed project is consistent with the 2011-2016 Philippine Development and Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals in providing access to quality basic education, particularly to vulnerable sectors of the society,” said National Economic and Development Authority regional director Bonifacio Uy.

Also included in the proposal is the review and improvement of the alternative learning system modules in line with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) kindergarten and 12 years of basic education program.

“Economically, the project will eliminate poverty and injustice, particularly among women. Formal education through alternative mean will free dropouts from poverty and “cycle of vulnerability,” Uy said.

“Among the anticipated outcomes of the project would include the creation of better chances of otherwise vulnerable women to lead a more successful and better quality of life for themselves and their families,” he explained.

The proposal presented 13 alternative locations in the city, but the proponent and local government have to identify specific sites. This is to facilitate the preparation of detailed engineering and building design.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) strongly endorsed the project for KOICA funding assistance to be implemented by the UNESCO Jakarta in coordination with the DepEd. (PNA)

PGL/SARWELL Q. MENIANO