Embassy of the United States in Manila

Transcript of the remarks of
Ambassador Darryl Johnson
Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy
EQuALLS Books Turn Over Ceremony
Jose Rizal Elementary School
Lamitan East District, Basilan
August 23, 2005

Gov. Wahab Akbar;

General Braganza;

Mayor Furigay;

Dr. Omar Aranan;

Mr. Abdulsali Asaali;

Ms. Editha Molina;

Ms. Pilarita Dahandal;

Mr. Jessie Baki;

Mr. Malik Uyag;

Other Distinguished guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Greetings of peace to everyone.

I thank the local and school officials and especially the children for the warm welcome accorded us today. It is always a pleasure to visit schools and mingle with school children and the enthusiastic kids here are a special treat.

Today we are adding another significant event to our long and special history of friendship and cooperation with the people of the Philippines. The history of United States government support for education in the Philippines started more than one century ago, with the coming to the Philippines of American volunteer teachers known as ‘Thomasites.’ The work of the ‘Thomasites’ has been carried on in different forms ever since that time, including by today’s Peace Corps volunteers. Today’s turn over of books affirms and continues the long tradition of mutual cooperation of Americans and Filipinos to help ensure that children have an equal opportunity for the best possible education.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS), provides assistance to help more people and more children in the Autonomous Regional of Muslim Mindanao and other conflict and poverty-affected areas of Mindanao have access to quality basic education.

The books and learning materials we are handing over today are part of our larger education program for Basilan, as the School Superintendent and the Principal know very well. Through the support of your Department of Education for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepED-ARMM) officials present here, USAID is helping improve the capacity of teachers to teach the foundation subjects of math, science, reading and English, and our focus is on the foundation grades—grades one, two, and three.

We are assisting madaris to teach the standard DepEd school curriculum, particularly strengthening of instruction of math, science and English.

The EQuALLS Project is a partnership among the U.S. Government, the Philippine Government, the private sector, NGOs, and the schools and communities we serve. Only by bringing together the resources, knowledge and commitment of all the partners are we able to make a real difference.

Finally, allow me to express appreciation to Mayor Furigay of Lamitan, who I understand, has been very supportive of the EQuALLS effort, particularly in providing transportation and local counterpart support to the EQuALLS activities; and to the local DepED-ARMM leadership, led by Superintendent Aranan, who I am told, has been enthusiastically supporting and providing valuable cooperation in implementing these project activities.

Let us continue working together to eliminate the worst form of poverty — the poverty of the mind. With the commitment of the local administrators, the local DepED-ARMM, local government executives, the parents and the community leaders, in educating today’s children, we can never fail. And to you children, I say, please read these books and enjoy the excitement of learning.

Thank you.

*****


Transcript of the remarks of Ambassador Darryl Johnson Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy EQuALLS Books Turn Over Ceremony Jose Rizal Elementary School Lamitan East District, Basilan August 23, 2005 Gov. Wahab Akbar; General Braganza; Mayor Furigay; Dr. Omar Aranan; Mr. Abdulsali Asaali; Ms. Editha Molina; Ms. Pilarita Dahandal; Mr. Jessie Baki; Mr. Malik Uyag; Other Distinguished guests; Ladies and Gentlemen; Greetings of peace to everyone. I thank the local and school officials and especially the children for the warm welcome accorded us today. It is always a pleasure to visit schools and mingle with school children and the enthusiastic kids here are a special treat. Today we are adding another significant event to our long and special history of friendship and cooperation with the people of the Philippines. The history of United States government support for education in the Philippines started more than one century ago, with the coming to the Philippines of American volunteer teachers known as ‘Thomasites.’ The work of the ‘Thomasites’ has been carried on in different forms ever since that time, including by today’s Peace Corps volunteers. Today’s turn over of books affirms and continues the long tradition of mutual cooperation of Americans and Filipinos to help ensure that children have an equal opportunity for the best possible education. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS), provides assistance to help more people and more children in the Autonomous Regional of Muslim Mindanao and other conflict and poverty-affected areas of Mindanao have access to quality basic education. The books and learning materials we are handing over today are part of our larger education program for Basilan, as the School Superintendent and the Principal know very well. Through the support of your Department of Education for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepED-ARMM) officials present here, USAID is helping improve the capacity of teachers to teach the foundation subjects of math, science, reading and English, and our focus is on the foundation grades—grades one, two, and three. We are assisting madaris to teach the standard DepEd school curriculum, particularly strengthening of instruction of math, science and English. The EQuALLS Project is a partnership among the U.S. Government, the Philippine Government, the private sector, NGOs, and the schools and communities we serve. Only by bringing together the resources, knowledge and commitment of all the partners are we able to make a real difference. Finally, allow me to express appreciation to Mayor Furigay of Lamitan, who I understand, has been very supportive of the EQuALLS effort, particularly in providing transportation and local counterpart support to the EQuALLS activities; and to the local DepED-ARMM leadership, led by Superintendent Aranan, who I am told, has been enthusiastically supporting and providing valuable cooperation in implementing these project activities. Let us continue working together to eliminate the worst form of poverty — the poverty of the mind. With the commitment of the local administrators, the local DepED-ARMM, local government executives, the parents and the community leaders, in educating today’s children, we can never fail. And to you children, I say, please read these books and enjoy the excitement of learning. Thank you. *****
	Last Update :: 01/05/2007
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