Philippine Schools Abroad to Expand, Aiding OFW Families

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is planning to broaden the reach of Philippine schools in nations with significant Filipino populations. CFO Secretary Dante Ang II shared in a recent TV interview that the goal is to facilitate a smooth educational transition for Filipino children abroad when they return to the Philippines, ensuring their studies align with the national curriculum. ‘Our aim is to help Filipino kids studying overseas adapt effortlessly upon returning home. We are dedicated to growing these schools and ensuring their education is valid in the Philippines,’ Ang explained. Currently, around 35 Philippine schools are functioning in countries including Bahrain, East Timor, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. As of the end of 2022, these schools had an enrollment of about 25,000 students from pre-elementary through high school. Ang emphasized that these schools must meet the educational standards of both the host country and the Philippines, requiring a permit from the host country and accreditation from the Department of Education (DepEd).