City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings), the thrift bank arm of Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines (UnionBank), has partnered with Thames International School to address the learning loss crisis in the country. Their solution involves a comprehensive and sustainable approach in education, from assessment to intervention in order to support the government’s efforts.
At the recent presentation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Basic Education Report (BER), Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte stressed the importance of the National Learning Remedial Plan in addressing learning loss.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte echoed those sentiments during a visit to the pilot implementation of the QC Learning Loss Recovery Program at Bagumbayan Elementary School. The program is managed by Thames International School and sponsored by CitySavings.
“Our learning loss problem is very serious. We are in an education emergency. Based on our research, in Quezon City alone, more than two years of pandemic lockdowns resulted in over five years’ worth of learning loss. This is why I wanted to declare an education emergency in Quezon City,” said Mayor Belmonte.
Following the Asian Development Bank (ADB) framework for addressing learning loss, students in the pilot program underwent an assessment to determine the extent of intervention needed.
Ninety-six Grade 5 students and 77 Grade 6 students underwent the Philippine Assessment for Learning Loss (PALLS) conducted by the University of San Carlos and Thames International School.
Following PALLS, the students are now undergoing a two-month high-impact recovery program hosted on the campus of Thames International School.
