Iloilo City broadens early childhood literacy campaign with EDU-GO

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government on Wednesday launched EDU-GO: Read, Learn, Grow, a new education program aimed at addressing learning gaps by strengthening literacy interventions from early childhood to adulthood.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu led the launch of the education and literacy campaign at Iloilo City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The program is a partnership with the West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Education.

Treñas-Chu said the program focuses on strengthening the foundation of learning at the daycare level, where children begin developing study habits and an appreciation for reading.

“Where does learning start? In the daycare. Where does the habit of studying and love of reading develop? In the daycare also,” she said.

Treñas-Chu said developing children’s love for reading early would eventually help improve their comprehension.

“When we inspire a child to read, we are not just opening a book; we are opening a world of possibilities. Because when we invest in our children’s learning today, we are investing in the future of Iloilo City,” she said.

Treñas-Chu said the city government is investing in the training of daycare teachers as part of efforts to improve the quality of early childhood education.

“Why can we level on the standards of the private schools? We have to question ourselves. That is why we are putting capital on the training of our daycare teachers,” she said.

Treñas-Chu said EDU-GO is not limited to daycare but is designed as a broader education initiative linking government agencies, schools, communities, and private partners to address learning gaps.

“This is a very long journey and a hard one because we have so many things to catch up, but this EDU-GO program, we really made sure that it is comprehensive,” she said.

The program comes amid a national learning crisis. A 2022 World Bank report estimated that about nine in 10 Filipino 10-year-olds could not read and understand a simple text, and Filipino 15-year-olds ranked among the lowest of 81 education systems in reading, mathematics, and science in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment.

The program has seven components: EDU-GO Sugod (start), which focuses on early childhood foundations; EDU-GO Upod (together), which supports learners with disabilities and those needing additional assistance; and EDU-GO Basa (read), which promotes reading, numeracy, and comprehension.

The other components are EDU-GO Balik (return), for out-of-school youth and adults seeking a second chance at education; EDU-GO Level-up, for skills development; EDU-GO Pamilya (family), which involves families and communities in learning; and EDU-GO Talaan (record), which tracks learners’ needs and progress.

The initial phase will focus on continuing education and training for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) teachers handling regular learners and children with special educational needs.

The city has 201 Child Development Centers serving more than 13,000 enrollees this school year.

The ECCD program has three packages: Edu Liit, for children younger than 3 who attend with a parent or guardian; Pre-Kindergarten 1, for children ages 3 to 3 years and 11 months; and Pre-Kindergarten 2, for children ages 4 to 4 years and 11 months.

Project SABAT, or Capacitating Implementers towards Strategic Actions for Better Accessibility of TAWAG Center in Iloilo City, was also launched on Wednesday at the same event.

The project is an extension initiative of the WVSU College of Education’s Division of Special Needs Education in partnership with the city government.

Project SABAT seeks to enhance the knowledge and skills of child development teachers in serving children with special needs.

It also aims to strengthen partnerships among families, communities, and other stakeholders to bring inclusive services closer to learners.