Binay warns: Focus on early childhood development or it could be too late

Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay is urging the education sector to strengthen early childhood education programs, highlighting the need to build foundational literacy and numeracy skills from daycare to early grade school levels.

In recent interviews, Binay has said a child's first years in school are critical to long-term learning success, warning that efforts to catch up later in elementary may be too late for many learners.

“We need to focus on Early Childhood Care and Development, including daycare,” she said in English and Filipino. “We believe that foundation is key. If that foundation is weak, bridging programs by Grade 5 or Grade 6 may already be too late.”

Binay said that basic reading, math, and science proficiency should be developed by Grade 3 to ensure that students can understand more complex concepts and keep up with the curriculum. She pointed to the Department of Education’s K-12 program and questioned whether students are equipped with sufficient foundational skills to be job-ready after senior high school.

“The question is whether students received a solid foundation from K to 10 to make them employable after senior high,” she said. “If their basic English and numeracy skills are lacking, they will struggle to find work even if job skills are taught in senior high.”

She stressed the need for early intervention, saying learning gaps in literacy and numeracy should be addressed no later than Grade 3. Otherwise, students may fall behind, lose motivation, and drop out.

Under her administration, Makati launched several initiatives to improve early childhood education. One such effort is the Pre-Kindergarten program for four- to five-year-olds not yet eligible for Kindergarten. The program provides students with a pre-K kit, modules, and a digital drive containing learning materials. It focuses on basic social, hygiene, and academic skills to prepare children for formal schooling.

In 2023, the city also launched Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education and Development), which distributes nutritious snacks and drinks to over 42,000 public elementary students daily.

Makati continues to implement Project MILES (Mathematics Intensive Learning Enhancement for Students), targeting Grades 1 to 10 with intensive math training using Koobits, a Singapore-based digital math platform. The city funds the program annually and covers the honoraria of participating teachers.

To further boost STEM enrollment, the city began offering monthly stipends of P1,500 in 2024 to qualified students in the Special Science and Math Curriculum at select public schools. Binay said supporting students in STEM fields prepares them for global careers in high-demand, high-paying industries.