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Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Education support for kids in armed conflict sought

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Global nongovernmental organization Save the Children Philippines on Sunday called for stronger support for education for children trapped in armed conflict and frequently displaced by natural calamities.

“Save the Children Philippines places education at the forefront of its programs from development to emergency settings, particularly for children who suffer from inter-sectionality of vulnerabilities including learners with disabilities and indigenous people,” said

Alberto Muyot, Save the Children Philippines chief executive officer.

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in particular, some 400,000 adolescents in the conflict-affected areas do not attend school due to poverty, government data showed.

These adolescents also face different forms of violence as well as recruitment by various armed groups.

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The group implements the Reach to TEACH program in conflict affected areas of BARMM to provide education to children affected by armed conflict and those living in disaster-stricken communities.

The three-year project (2019-2021) is being implemented in Sulu, Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, Marawi City, Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. These provinces have been experiencing protracted conflict for over 10 years due to insurgency, terrorism, rido (clan feud) and pangayaw (tribal wars).

“When children and youth from deprived and marginalized situations get equal access to learning opportunities, education becomes a tool peace-building and development,” Muyot said.

Muyot also raised concerns about the situation of half a million learners affected by the continuing eruption of Taal Volcano.

These children have been displaced from their homes while their schools are either heavily damaged by ash fall or being used as evacuation centers, said Muyot.

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