ABC+ launches education sector mechanism in Cotabato City SDO

The Advancing Basic Education Philippines Project (ABC+ Project) has launched Wednesday, March 15, the implementation of the Education Sector Mechanism (ESM) in Cotabato City Schools Division Office (SDO).

Funded by various stakeholders such as the USAID and The Asia Foundation, the EMS is a class of process that aims to generate a solution from the initiatives of the Cotabato City Local Government Unit, Cotabato City SDO, and private sectors.

This can start the development of a more comprehensive and effective solution to the current learning gaps experienced not only in Cotabato City but throughout the world.

According to Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Concepcion F. Balawag, CESO V, they have already conducted an assessment on the literacy rate of students in the city from Grade 1 to 3 using the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) from the ABC+ Project. As a result, more than 60% or more than 8,000 students in the city are slow or unable to read. And the EMS is expected to provide a solution to this problem.

City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao was thankful because with the help of this project along with the Batang Mahusay Project (BM Project), the needs of the city will be accelerated even more in the field of education.

According to the Chief of Party of ABC+ Project Ms. Ina Aquino, this makes the action of various organizations in the city happy because it shows the determination of each one that no youth should be left behind.