The Manila Times
THE Philippine Embassy in Dili reported that there are schools in Timor Leste promoting themselves as Philippine schools despite not being accredited by the Department of Education (DepEd), said Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Ang II. The CFO chairman said there are 25,000 learners in 36 accredited Philippine schools overseas (PSOs) in 11 countries, mostly children of Filipino workers in the Middle East. Ang on Friday said there are six Philippine schools in Dili, but only one is DepEd-accredited. He said the CFO relied on reports that institutions operate "beyond the formal system." "That information came from our Philippine Embassy in Dili because we are coordinating with them on several things," he said. "So, we reach out to them. It's an ongoing process to convince them to accredit [with DepEd]," Ang said during a briefing after conducting a media training on rethinking the Philippine migration narrative. Ang said similar unaccredited PSOs face measures against the government "where they operate." "So, I understand even East Timor is gonna clamp them down. I think it is one of the reasons why they should submit themselves to the rules of DepEd and CFO," Ang said. In February, Ang assured the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that the CFO will protect the integrity of PSOs. Ang raised the need to enhance the competitiveness of PSOs during a high-level mission to the UAE, including a courtesy call on the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Alfonso Ver. Ver raised the issue of unregulated online schooling platforms that have reportedly disrupted the operations of legitimate PSOs. Ang has assured the embassy that the CFO would seek DepEd's intervention to address these "fly-by-night" operations and protect the integrity of the overseas educational system. Ang's mission centered on the growing demand for quality Filipino education as the PSO community in the UAE continues to expand. The CFO and the embassy reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the PSO network. Ang's visit was part of the CFO’s mandate to regulate PSOs and ensure they "remain viable pillars for the Filipino diaspora." During his meeting with Ver, Ang highlighted the results of consultations with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. Local authorities reportedly encouraged the expansion of PSOs, citing not only the rising Filipino population in the UAE but also a growing interest from other nationalities in enrolling their children in the Philippine school system. Ver said that growth must be matched by academic rigor. He noted that for Filipino students to qualify for admission to prestigious local institutions, such as Khalifa University, PSOs must ensure their curricula meet international standards, especially in Mathematics. As the lead agency of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, the CFO plays a crucial role in mitigating the "social costs" of migration. By ensuring that Filipino children abroad have access to a curriculum that mirrors the one in their homeland, the CFO helps maintain a cultural and educational bridge, easing the eventual reintegration of families or the transition of students to higher education in the Philippines. “The government here offers generous opportunities and a high quality of life, which is why many of our students prefer to remain in the UAE after graduation,” Ver said. He pointed to the availability of the 10-year golden visa as a significant incentive for high-achieving Filipinos. This long-term residency permit is granted under specific conditions, including proof of a stable monthly income, significant professional contributions, or community service. Ang detailed several CFO initiatives aimed at professionalizing PSO management and improving student resources to support these institutions. The CFO said central to this are the newly signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) and the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA). The partnership with PEAC is designed to provide PSOs with access to teacher training and school improvement programs usually reserved for domestic private schools. Meanwhile, the agreement with PEPA ensures that overseas schools have a streamlined, reliable pipeline for the latest textbooks and educational materials, keeping them updated with the K-12 curriculum. By focusing on academic excellence and regulatory oversight, the CFO wants to ensure that the children of migrant workers are not only equipped with skills for global success but also deeply connected to their Philippine heritage.
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