2025 Budget Boosts Investments in Early Childhood Education
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- 07 Jan 2025
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The PHP 6.326 trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on December 30, 2024, marks a significant commitment to Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs, according to the 2nd Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).
In a recent statement, EDCOM II highlighted that the budget includes substantial investments aimed at enhancing the skills of Child Development Workers (CDWs) and establishing more Child Development Centers (CDCs) in underserved areas.
The budget allocates PHP 80 million for scholarships through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), specifically targeting CDWs, many of whom have only completed high school. This initiative, in collaboration with the ECCD Council, aims to upgrade the qualifications of CDWs to improve the delivery of early childhood education across the nation.
EDCOM II's findings revealed a concerning lack of specialized training among CDWs, with 16.8% holding only high school diplomas and 77% possessing college degrees unrelated to early childhood education.
In addition to the scholarships, the national budget sets aside PHP 24 million for the establishment of CDCs in low-income municipalities, particularly focusing on fifth-class municipalities. This funding will facilitate the creation of at least eight new CDCs in priority villages that currently lack day care centers. The allocated funds will support local government units in constructing CDC facilities and acquiring essential resources, including furniture, equipment, and educational materials.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chair of EDCOM II, emphasized the importance of investing in the upskilling and reskilling of child development workers, stating, “By investing in the upskilling and reskilling of our child development workers, we are empowering them to provide better services and support to young learners.”
EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee noted that the provisions in the budget align with ongoing efforts to amend the Early Years Act of 2013. He stated, “These measures ensure a more localized and cohesive framework for early childhood education, paving the way for a stronger foundation for Filipino children.”
Yee further added, “These special provisions laid out in the General Appropriations Act form a strong foundation for the future of Early Childhood Care and Development programs in the country.”
This budgetary commitment reflects a proactive approach to enhancing early childhood education in the Philippines, aiming to provide better support and resources for both educators and young learners.
