Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II has called for stronger academic standards and improved competitiveness among Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs), as part of a high-level mission to the United Arab Emirates aimed at aligning Filipino education abroad with global requirements.
Ang’s visit included a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where both officials discussed the growing need for quality Philippine education as the Filipino community in the Emirates continues to expand.
During the meeting, Ang presented the outcome of consultations with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which has been encouraging the growth of PSOs in the UAE. Local authorities reportedly cited not only the increasing number of Filipinos in the country, but also a growing interest from other nationalities in enrolling their children in the Philippine education system.
While welcoming the expansion, Ver stressed that PSOs must strengthen academic rigor to ensure students remain eligible for admission to top universities in the UAE. He pointed in particular to the need for PSOs to meet international standards in mathematics, noting that stronger credentials are necessary for Filipino students seeking entry into institutions such as Khalifa University.
“The government here offers generous opportunities and a high quality of life, which is why many of our students prefer to remain in the UAE after graduation,” Ver said.
Ver also highlighted the 10-year Golden Visa as a major incentive for high-performing Filipinos who choose to stay in the country. He noted that the long-term residency permit is granted under specific conditions, including proof of a stable monthly income, major professional contributions, or community service.
In citing opportunities available to Filipinos in the UAE, the mission referenced the case of Mary Jane Alvero, a chemist and 2012 Pamana ng Pilipino awardee under the PAFIOO category, who later established three laboratories in the Philippines after building her career abroad.
As the lead agency of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas (IACPSO), the CFO reiterated its role in regulating PSOs and ensuring that Filipino children abroad continue to receive education aligned with the Philippine curriculum. The agency also emphasized that these efforts help reduce the social costs of migration by keeping overseas learners connected to their culture while supporting smoother reintegration into Philippine schools or higher education systems.
Ver also raised concerns over the presence of unregulated online schooling platforms, which he said have affected the operations of legitimate PSOs. Ang assured the embassy that the CFO would seek assistance from the Department of Education (DepEd) to address these “fly-by-night” operations and strengthen oversight of overseas Filipino education.
To support PSOs further, Ang outlined CFO initiatives aimed at improving school management and access to learning materials, including newly signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) and the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA). Under the agreements, PSOs will gain access to teacher training and school improvement programs, along with a more streamlined system for obtaining updated K-12 textbooks and educational resources.
