BESRA gets support from AusAID, WB
The Basic Education Reform Agenda (BESRA) of the Department of Education (DepEd) got further boost from the Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID) and the World bank through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) finalized, together with the Department of Finance (DOF).
BESRA is a package of policy reforms aimed at systematically improving the institutional, structural, financial, cultural, physical and informational conditions affecting basic education provision, access and delivery.
Education Secretary Jeslie Lapus said they are grateful for the assistance, which is a recognition of the urgent need to increase resources for basic education.
The AusAID's support for Philippine Basic Education Reforms (SPHERE) trust fund worth Aus$41 million or US$31 million is included in the World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy for the Philippines from 2006-2008.
Lapus said the fund will be used to provide additional financing and technical support to the implementation of BESRA, that helps the government, through the department, in meeting its Education for All (EFA) goals.
SPHERE has three components, namely, funding for short to medium term technical assistance in order to translate policy ideas on reform into concrete action plans; support for DepEd's School-based management and implementation of an improvement plan targeting disadvantaged elementary schools; and, classroom construction in identified priority schools in Southern Philippines. (PIA 6/ESS)