(2nd row) From left: Cathy Yang, FVP and Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart; Dr. Milwida M. Guevara, President and CEO, Synergeia Foundation; Dr. Antonio N. Toralba, Vice Chairman, Synergeia Foundation
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are backstopping the nationwide search for exemplary local government units (LGU) that help young learners in their cities or municipalities finish school.
“PLDT and Smart advocate quality and inclusive education for all. As we navigate a different landscape for the education sector, we enjoin fellow education champions to help secure our children’s future by making sure that no learners or teachers are left behind,” said Cathy Yang, FVP and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart are working with Synergeia Foundation for the relaunch of the Seal of Good Education Governance. After a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Synergeia, a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of basic education in the country, is calling on local government units to be the children’s champion for education again.
Young learners carry part of the seal as they share what good education governance means for them
“Education is the responsibility of everyone – parents, teachers, the students, barangay, mayor, businessmen, religious, and other stakeholders in the community. In today’s gathering of mayors and partners in education, at the re-launch of the Seal of Good Education Governance, I invite us all, we who have been given the power to do good to make lasting things in a very fluid, unpredictable, uncertain world, to remember our little ones, the forsaken students and provide them the opportunities for achieve quality education,” said Fr. Jett Villarin, S.J., Chairman of Synergeia.
First launched in 2017, the ‘Seal’ recognizes cities and municipalities that exert outstanding efforts to deliver basic education to their constituents. In its inaugural year, 24 LGUs across the Philippines were conferred with the seal for their exemplary performance in helping young learners stay in school.
To qualify for the ‘Seal’, there must be a high cohort-survival rate among students enrolled in schools covered by the LGU. It means that Grade one students must at least finish Grade Six or Primary Education. The organization also takes into consideration the improvement of students in the National Achievement Test. Synergeia also asks LGUs to share how they used their Special Education Fund for the promotion of learning.
PLDT and Smart support initiatives that provide access to inclusive quality education from basic to tertiary levels to ensure #NoLearnerLeftBehind. These efforts are part of their commitment to help the nation achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4: Quality Education.
