Phl to lose P4-B foreign aid for education programs

With the United States' 90-day foreign aid freeze, the Philippines is set to lose over P4 billion in assistance for key education initiatives, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said yesterday.

- With Pia Lee-Brago, Catherine Talavera

In a letter to US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Angara expressed his appreciation for the US Agency for International Development (USAID)'s long-standing support in improving basic education in the Philippines.

Affected initiatives include the ABC+ project for early-grade learning, the Improving Learning Outcomes for the Philippines project and Gabay, which provides support for learners with special needs.

Meanwhile, the ALS Tracer Study and Opportunity 2.0 programs are set for completion in February 2025.

Angara said the Department of Education is requesting the USAID to turn over project materials, which would help the DepEd efficiently use resources and seek alternative sources of funding.

The DepEd will accelerate textbook procurement to ensure students have materials before the opening of the next school year, Angara noted.

The agency will also strengthen the capacity of its curriculum and teaching strand, he said.

"We recognize the tremendous impact of the USAID's contributions to Philippine education. While we await the resolution of this suspension, the DepEd will move forward and ensure that President Marcos' reforms in education remain on track," Angara said.