The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is considering expanding the presence of Philippine schools in countries with large Filipino communities.

In a television interview on Friday, CFO Secretary Dante Ang II said the initiative aims to ensure that Filipino children studying abroad could maintain a seamless transition when returning to the Philippines, with their education aligned with the country’s curriculum.

“We want to ensure that Filipino children studying abroad can easily adapt when they return home. That’s why we’re committed to expanding these schools and making sure their education is recognized in the Philippines,” Ang said.

Currently, there are about 35 Philippine schools operating in countries such as Bahrain, East Timor, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

According to CFO data, there were approximately 25,000 students enrolled in these schools as of December 31, 2022, ranging from pre-elementary to high school levels.

Ang clarified that Philippine schools abroad must comply with both the requirements of the host country and the Philippine government, including obtaining a permit to operate from the host country before seeking accreditation from the Department of Education (DepEd). (PNA)