The Iloilo Provincial Government, through its Education Core (EDCORE) Team, recently conducted an assessment and planning session to strengthen the implementation of its key education initiatives.
The team discussed the milestones and improvements for the Proof of Concept (POC) on the Devolution of Basic Education and the BES Basa Program under the BESProbins framework.
The POC aims to enhance reading outcomes in Iloilo’s pilot municipalities, including Igbaras, Guimbal, Leganes, Maasin, Mina, Cabatuan, Pavia, Sara, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Lemery, and Iloilo City. Its goal is to ensure that all Grade 3 learners can read by the end of the 2025 school year.
Meanwhile, the Bulig Eskwela (BES) Basa Program is being implemented in Janiuay, Lambunao, Carles, Dingle, Oton, and San Miguel which seeks to standardize reading instruction for K-3 learners as part of the broader BES Probins initiative.
The session was attended by key partners from the Department of Education (DepEd) and Regional Education Council (REC), reinforcing collaborative efforts for better educational outcomes.
During the session, Third District Board Member and REC representative Jason Gonzales, together with Dr. Nestor M. Pingil, Chief Education Supervisor of the DepEd Curriculum and Teaching Division, facilitated in-depth discussions and guided participants in crafting a strategic framework for the BES Basa program aimed at ensuring its sustainability, province-wide adoption, and eventual institutionalization by the Department of Education.
The EDCORE identified the core pillars of the BES Basa program, which include securing strong commitment from local chief executives (LCEs), strengthening of the local school board, and implementing capacity-building initiatives for teachers and parents.
The team also recalibrated its work plan for the remaining POC activities this year, emphasizing the need to conduct capability-building initiatives for the local school board and teachers.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias assured the team of the provincial government’s sustained support for these reading programs beyond the two-year POC partnership with Synergeia Foundation.
“The governor will commit to supporting the program even beyond POC,” Banias stated. “We can continue this as a sustained program of the province under BES Basa.”
Earlier this month, the governor announced in a leveling session with Synergeia that the province is prepared to allocate PHP 600 million for education, demonstrating its dedication to improving literacy and learning.
The EDCORE team, an interdepartmental body under the Iloilo Provincial Government, remains at the forefront of advancing educational programs.
With strong government backing and collaboration with key education partners, the province is set to achieve lasting improvements in literacy and learning for young Ilonggo learners.
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