U.S. launches new initiative to help young learners  build a strong foundation in numeracy

The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a new initiative to help young learners in the Philippines build a strong foundation in numeracy and mathematics.

The Early Numeracy Initiative for Remote Learning will train teachers and school administrators in Regions 5 and 6 to improve the numeracy and mathematics skills of Kindergarten to Grade 3 students.  USAID partnered with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Bureau of Learning Delivery and the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) to design this initiative, which supports DepEd’s goals of developing students’ critical thinking and problem solving in numeracy.

USAID Philippines Acting Office Director for Education Yvette Malcioln joined DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery Director Dr. Leila Areola, DepEd Region 5 Director Dr. Gilbert Sadsad, DepEd Region 6 Director Dr. Ramir Uytico, and UP NISMED Director Dr. Sheryl Lyn Monterola at the virtual launch of the initiative on February 14.

“This activity speaks of the shared commitment and intention of DepEd and the United States government, through USAID, to improve not only the literacy of early grade learners but also their skills in early mathematics and numeracy,” said Malcioln.  “If learners are exposed to and attain math skills at a young age, they are more likely to succeed in school and in life.”

USAID will also distribute mathematics home learning resource kits to more than 1,700 students.  The kits will provide parents and guardians with practical tools to help their children learn mathematics at home and strengthen their ability to reason and make connections.

“DepEd is pleased to have education partners like USAID to support our vision, mission, and goals of providing quality, responsive, relevant, and accessible education for all Filipinos,” said Areola.  “We would like to thank USAID for intensifying the mother tongue-based multilingual education, as well as efforts that contributed to the improvement of literacy skills of our learners while at the same time capacitating our teachers and parents.”

The Early Numeracy Initiative for Remote Learning is part of USAID’s Php1.9 billion ($38.5 million) basic education project, ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines.  Implemented in partnership with DepEd, ABC+ focuses on improving quality and learning outcomes for Kindergarten through Grade 3 students in early literacy, foundational math, and social and emotional learning.