Solon urges DepEd to include voter education in curriculum

(FILE) Voters cast their ballots at Inabanga South Central Elem. School Inabanga, Bohol, May 13, 2019. Photo courtesy of Gerwin Yudelmo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) should integrate voter education in its curriculum with the 2022 national and local education fast approaching, House Deputy Speaker Bienvenido Abante said Thursday.

Abante said DepEd should consider providing high school students with objective criteria for selecting candidates for elected office aside from encouraging them to register and vote.

“The DepEd encouraging eligible youth to register and vote is a very good start, but they should not stop there. Our schools should teach our students of the importance of applying certain standards, certain criteria when they vote,” Abante said in a statement.

The House leader said DepEd can use the “3Cs Criteria”—competence, character, and credibility—that would help future voters judge candidates in the elections.

“That can be a starting point,” Abante said.

The DepEd can come up with a curriculum that illustrates these criteria, one that will help young voters properly assess whether a candidate has the competence to run the country, the character, and values required to do the right thing and spurn corruption, and the credibility and the track record that shows that the candidate is capable of delivering one’s promises,” he added.

Abante said the challenges the country will continue to face as a result of the pandemic underscores the need for competent leadership.

In March, the DepEd encouraged eligible learners to register for upcoming elections and exercise their right to vote.

“‘Yung curriculum natin at mga karanasang ibinabahagi sa ating mga mag-aaral ay nakatuon sa mga bagay-bagay na magsisiguro na tayong lahat ay magiging makabansa, makakalikasan, makatao, at maka-Diyos,” Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado M. San Antonio earlier said.

(The curriculum we have and the experiences we share to our students are focused on ensuring that we are patriotic, environment-friendly, and God-centered.)

“Ang pangarap natin sabi nga sa DepEd Vision ay (Our dream as stated in the DepEd vision is), “Filipinos who passionately love their country and who use their talents and potentials to build a strong country,” he added.

READ: Youth, elderly told to defer voter registration as coronavirus  threat lingers

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