MikeLigalig.com

REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

SOON-TO-BE MIDDLE INCOME PHILIPPINES CAN BE THE NEW EDUCATION DESTINATION OF THE WORLD

Noting that the Philippines is poised to become a middle income country soon, it is well-endowed to be positioned as an education destination for Africans, the Pacific Island nations, and the Spanish-speaking people in South America, as well as for those countries with which bilateral education ties are quite mature.

Education attaches would have to be at the frontlines overseas to push the Philippines as a major education destination. The bill that can serve as the enabling law for the deployment of education attaches is House Bill 4027 which I authored and filed.

I recently met some of our country’s top diplomats in Paris, Rome, and the Vatican for exploratory discussion on the education attaché possibilities in Europe.

[Photos from Left to Right: 1. With Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and Consul Candy Bauzon at the Philippine Embassy in Rome. 2. With Charge d' Affaires Charles Manangan in Philippine Embassy in Vatican City. 3. With Philippine Ambassador to France and Representative to UNESCO Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Consul-General Aileen Mendoza-Rau, and Consul Hans at the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France]

A needs assessment would be prudent for the three major government education agencies to undertake to determine which countries and international capitals to prioritize. That evaluation would most likely factor in:

1. population concentrations of Overseas Filipinos;

2. existing international bilateral and multilateral agreements and linkages of Philippine schools; and

3. countries that send many tourists and foreign students to the Philippines.

The education agencies should also craft an international education marketing strategic framework and action plan that puts emphasis on the range of strengths of Philippine schools in particular disciplines. The strategy and plan can reference the various credible global education rankings to determine which academic fields in which the Philippines has the advantage.

That strategy and plan ought to also consider the education and professionalization needs of OFWs, including those whose children born overseas may want to continue their studies in the Philippines when their OFW parent or parents return to the homeland.

Considering cost factors, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA may recommend lists of countries for a phased implementation of deployment of education attaches.  A first priority list of perhaps 20 countries and then other lists of 20 down the priority rankings.

The education agencies can also involve the PRC and DOST in the formulation of the international education marketing strategic framework and action plan. (END)

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