(PNA photo by Gil Calinga)) MANILA - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expects no child will be left behind in the Department of Education (DepEd)'s 30-year Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP 2030). Lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR executive director, said the BEDP will "serve as a framework" for improving the delivery and quality of basic education in the Philippines for the next decade. "The CHR recognizes this effort of DepEd to enhance access, equity, quality, and resiliency of our education system through structured goals and long-term plans," de Guia said in a statement. BEDP 2030 aims "to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, address access gaps, and build resilience within communities. De Guia said CHR appreciates the DepEd's responsiveness to the existing and emerging issues concerning education, especially those that were compounded due to the pandemic. "The online distance learning scheme surfaced several concerns in education, such as participation of students who lack the resources needed for online learning, the limits in the learning ability of students in a remote setup, mental health issues, and many more," she added. De Guia cited experts' studies on the long-term effects of disengagement from the traditional school system and potential learning loss that may impact future prospects. "With the launch of BEDP 2030, we are hopeful that this long-term framework will ensure that every Filipino student is afforded quality education," she said. "It is crucial that the current generation of students, especially the vulnerable ones, are able to catch up to the fast-evolving times through inclusive education." CHR also urged the incoming administration to ensure that children acquire the knowledge and skills that will guarantee equal opportunities and will enable them to meaningfully contribute to nation-building. The DepEd earlier launched its first-ever medium to long-term BEDP to provide the next administration with a "roadmap for improved quality and delivery of basic education". President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said his administration will be gearing up for a significant "catching up" in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (PNA) }