9th National Education Summit

Local government leaders and school officials from across the country will be convening on September 26 and 27, 2013 at the Ateneo Professional Schools for the 9th National Education Summit. The Summit which used to be called “retreats” for “education change agents” is an opportunity to “recharge energy” and “rekindle passion” in ensuring that children get the best education. The past eight summits had been under the leadership by then Mayor Secretary Robredo.

The participants to 9th Summit will take the challenge of “doing a Robredo” in their own communities. It also takes the program to the cutting edge with the launch of the USAID-supported Education Governance Effectiveness (EdGE) program.

Noted reformers in the fields of governance and education will be spearheading the discussions. These include a speech by Prof. Solita Monsod on the relationship between poverty and education and a sharing by Cong. Leni Robredo on “Jesse’s ways” in governance. Prof. Ernie Garilao, President of the Zuellig Family Foundation will expound on transformational leadership in education. Mr. Ramon del Rosario, Chairman of the Makati Business Club and Trustee of Synergeia will discuss PPPs in education. The Mission Director of USAID, Ms. Gloria Steele will launch the EdGE program. The President of the Ateneo, Fr. Jett Villarin will discuss how the mission of the Ateneo University puts a premium on providing children, particularly the marginalized with equitable access to good education.

Participants will work in regional clusters to assess the state of education as well as education financing in their own communities. They will then draw up an action program that will serve as the basis of an education covenant. The Synergeia peer-mentors include Former Governor Lito Coscolluela, Former Governor Miguel Dominguez, Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian, and Former Mayors Amenodin Odin, Jett Rojas, Mary Jane Ortega, Diding Gamboa, Sonny Coscolluela, Provincial Administrator Raul Banas, Planning Officer Willie Prilles, and Former vice Mayor Jay Jalandoni, among the many others.

The summit serves as a platform for LGU officials to build working relationships with peers. The regional workshops will help participants understand their own communities better, while they gain from lessons from peers.

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