Expansion of Preschool Coverage to Include Children Enrolled in Day Care Centers

January 10, 2008

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 685

EXPANDING THE PRESCHOOL COVERAGE TO INCLUDE CHILDREN ENROLLED IN DAY CARE CENTERS

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act 8980 declares the policy that the state shall institutionalize integrated system of Early Childhood Care and Development that will serve all children 0-5 years old including children with special needs and respect for cultural diversity with end in view of improving the quality of life for young children. The law likewise ensures that there is an efficient system of identification, prevention, referral, and intervention for development disorders and disabilities in early childhood; DECcAS

WHEREAS, the Philippines has committed to the Global Movement on Education for All (EFA) since 1990 and has affirmed its commitment in the Philippine EFA 2010 National Action Plan, a component of which is the universal participation and total elimination of drop-out and repetition in Grades 1-3 through a quality assured program for pre-school and early childhood care and development for 3-5 years old children;

WHEREAS, pre-school experience is a determinant factor in the performance of Grade 1 students in the formal school system and was reported that children with quality early experience achieved significantly higher than those without ECD experience;

WHEREAS, pre-school experiences provide the essential stimulation needed by 5-year-old children to become ready for formal schooling in Grade 1, thus should be expanded to reach all children aged 5 years old, with first priority to reaching those children least likely to enter school or most likely to drop out or repeat in Grades 1-3; TAIDHa

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Coverage. — The Department of Education is directed to expand its Pre-school program coverage to include pre-school children enrolled in Day Care Centers.

SECTION 2. Training of Teachers. — Existing Day Care Center workers shall be provided with teacher training on the curriculum and competencies for pre-school education together with the necessary instructional materials by the Department of Education. acAIES

SECTION 3. Curriculum and Instructional Supervision. — The supervision of educational programs, curriculum and instruction in Day Care Centers shall be exercised by the Department of Education.

SECTION 4. Local Government Units (LGUs) to Support Existing ECCD Programs. — The following health and nutrition-related programs shall continue to be supported by the LGUs:

i) Primary health care;

ii) Pre-natal and post-natal care;

iii) Nutrition education;

iv) Micronutrient supplementation; and

v) Supplementary feeding. AICTcE

The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Nutrition Council (NCC) shall continue to extend support to LGUs and the Department of Education for additional resources and technical support whenever these are available.

SECTION 5. Local Government Unit Support. — The following programs shall continue to be supported by the LGUs in the form of basic infrastructure, provision of facilities, materials and equipment, and compensation to service providers: i) day care program; ii) parent effectiveness service; iii) child minding centers; iv) family day care; and v) parent-child development program.

SECTION 6. Roles and Responsibilities of DSWD and Other Member Agencies of the National Early Childhood Care and Development Coordinating Council (NECCDCC). — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the other member agencies of the NECCDCC shall continue to perform their functions as provided by Sections 26 and 27 of Rule IV of the Rules and Regulations Implementing RA 8980 subject to the mandate of the Department of Education expanding its Pre-School Programs as contained in this Executive Order.

SECTION 7. Focus for Initial Implementation. — For purposes of the initial implementation of this Order, the Department of Education shall initially focus on 5-year-old children enrolled in Day Care Centers in the 50% of the lowest performing schools in each region. acAESC

SECTION 8. Funding. — The Department of Education shall include in its annual general appropriations the necessary funding to support and to sustain the implementation of the said Pre-School Programs.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall be implemented beginning the school year 2008-2009.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight. EHSCcT