By Rose Palacio

Davao City (26 June) -- Literacy and good quality education remain as our top priorities as the government hopes to achieve a literacy rate of 100% in the country through sustained education programs, said Davao City Schools Superintendent Gloria Labor.

Department of Education (DepEd) is also holding education programs for the Indigenous Peoples including the conduct of livelihood and skills training, and a functional literacy learning programs for City's lumads with the support of other concerned agencies like the TESDA, DTI and the city government units.

Our DepED XI Director Susana Estigoy also aims to continue the improvement of public schools as the administration wants to provide adequate facilities and be equaled if not more than those found in private schools, Labor said.

The government is providing enough schools facilities, textbooks including teachers. We will expand them, we would construct more school facilities and buildings with the help of other non-government organizations and private sector as our "Adopt a School program" has been making a headway, she said.

Other programs of DepED include the balik-aral or continuing education program for out-of-school youths or drop-outs, support the accreditation and Equivalency Program for drop-outs who wish to return to schooling. That is why we have our Sunday school program for those who wish to continue their schooling, she said.

We are also coordinating our efforts in providing learned livelihood and skills trainings with TESDA to provide education and trainings for the youth sector, she said.