Objectives and Time Frame
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EQuALLS2, which began in July 2006 and will end in September 2011, will focus on three main objectives:
EQuALLS2 is increasing learning opportunities for children and youth in areas most affected by poverty and conflict in Mindanao by empowering communities to support education. Parent-teacher associations, local school boards, and barangay (village) education boards are trained to effectively plan and implement local education projects. USAID also provides Community Incentive Grants to qualified projects. |
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Educator Professional Development
EQuALLS2 is strengthening basic teaching capacity in English, science, and math in areas most affected by conflict and poverty in Mindanao through educator training, in coordination with the Philippine Department of Education. Elementary students in these areas historically have the lowest scores in the Philippines’ annual National Achievement Test, a measure of students’ grasp of key basic education subjects. To further enhance basic teaching and learning in these areas, EQuALLS2 is also building and repairing classrooms; providing educators supplementary textbooks and other learning materials using an innovative needs-based book shopping approach; and supporting DepED’s thrust towards technology-enhanced professional development of teachers through information and communications technology (ICT) training of teachers and provision of computer hardware and software. The project also trains school administrators for improved school governance, and is helping align the quality of education in madrasahs (Arab schools) with the standards of the Philippine Department of Education.
Out-of-School Children and Youth Programs
EQuALLS2 provides alternative learning and earning opportunities for out-of-school youth in areas most affected by poverty and conflict in Mindanao. Basic literacy programs are offered to out-of-school children and youth who wish to go back to the formal school system or to take the Philippine Department of Education’s Accreditation and Equivalency exam to qualify as high school graduates. Industry-relevant technical-vocational skills training programs and post-training assistance are also offered to out-of-school youth who wish to pursue better income opportunities.
