U.S. Peace Corps, DepEd partner to strengthen inclusive education

The U.S. Peace Corps recently partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop and test new assessment tools for learners with disabilities in Albay province.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the initiative involving 40 teachers and 200 students from Albay is part of a series of activities that aim to ensure schools and their curricula are as inclusive as possible.

“Inclusive education is a priority for DepEd and the U.S. Peace Corps, and our shared aim is to ensure that all learners, including learners with disabilities, receive a quality education,” said U.S. Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Jenner Edelman.

Albay Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Norma Samantela thanked the U.S. Peace Corps and USAID for their collaboration and support, saying that “By investing in inclusive education in the Philippines, you are investing in something life-changing for learners with disabilities.”

The U.S. Peace Corps is the U.S. government’s premier American volunteer service organization.

Throughout the pandemic, U.S. Peace Corps staff, rather than American volunteers, have been supporting DepEd and other Philippine government partners in achieving their development priorities.

Now that the Philippines is at low risk for COVID-19, U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are scheduled to return to the Philippines in January 2023.  More than 9,300 American Peace Corps volunteers have served alongside host communities across the Philippines over the past 60 years.