USAid Suspension May Halt $94 Million Worth of Filipino Education Projects

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines faces potential disruption to crucial programs totaling $94 million or approximately P4 billion due to US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend operations at the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).

Key Affected Programs

Education Assistant Secretary for Strategic Management, Roger Masapol, outlined several DepEd initiatives dependent on USAid support:

• ABC+: Designed to enhance literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning for young students from kindergarten to Grade 3.
• Opportunity 2.0: Propelled to strengthen alternative learning system programs.
• Improving Learning Outcomes for the Philippines: Aims to establish an assessment framework and educational policies for the DepEd.
• Gabay: Targeted at supporting learners with special needs.
• Urban Connect: Focused on gender and development strategies.

Masapol emphasized that these programs align with Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point agenda to enhance basic education in the country.

DepEd’s Response

The DepEd plans to utilize existing funds to keep these projects going throughout the 90-day USAid suspension. Masapol expressed optimism that the initiatives may continue after Trump’s executive order expires.

Despite the funds, Masapol described his dismay that well-established programs serving education in the Philippines may face interruption due to Trump’s directive.

USAid Recalls Staff Worldwide

On Tuesday, USAid announced it will place its staff on administrative leave, commencing just before midnight on February 7, 2020. This decision affects direct hires except for mission-essential personnel.

“Thank you for your service,” USAid’s statement acknowledged its workforce.

Context of USAid’s Suspension

The USAid shutdown represents a significant move by Trump and his ally, Elon Musk, to reduce government expenses. This action meets with opposition from Democrats, human rights advocates, and America enthusiasts.

USAid serves as a cornerstone of US foreign policy, funding emergency and health initiatives in over 120 countries, including the world’s most impoverished regions.

Musk’s Criticisms

Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, labeled USAid “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” and vowed to eliminate it.

Among his baseless claims, Musk suggested that USAid funds rogue CIA activities and even contributes to bioweapon research linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite his massive government contracts and significant backing of Trump’s campaign, Musk obtained the president’s approval for this unprecedented decision.

Impact on Global Aid

The termination of USAid activities comes against the backdrop of Republican assertions that taxpayer dollars should benefit Americans first, neglecting international needs.

Officially, USAid’s mission is to eradicate extreme poverty and foster resilient democratic societies while advancing US interests.

Top USAid Recipients

In 2023, the most recent year fully documented, the largest beneficiaries of USAid were Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan.

Additional major recipients comprised the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Syria.

Conclusion

The ramifications of USAid’s suspension on Filipino education underscore the far-reaching impact of global policy shifts on local initiatives. While the DepEd will strive to maintain ongoing projects, the future remains uncertain.

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