The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said it is advancing partnerships with the church and the community to uphold the welfare of learners.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said these collaborations support the Marcos administration in responding to challenges, including poverty, mobility, and weak retention among marginalized learners.

In particular, Angara said its coordination with Caritas Philippines can help expand the reach of the agency’s programs as it has a nationwide network of 86 diocesan social action centers.

“We take our inspiration from all of you. Your stories and successes drive us towards meaningful reforms,” he said, citing church-led initiatives like flexible and trust-based community learning centers.

Angara added church-based groups can back DepEd programs through volunteer tutoring, mentoring, and local learning initiatives in underserved communities.

To date, the DepEd has various key programs for learners’ welfare, including the school-based feeding, learning recovery, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Under the expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), the DepEd will now benefit all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide.

In terms of learning recovery efforts, the DepEd underscored the need to scale up its ongoing Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

The ALS program also serves as a key entry opportunity for out-of-school youth, working adults, and other disadvantaged learners to go back to education. (PNA)