DFA: PHL eyes education cooperation with Finland

The Philippine government wants to forge an education cooperation with Finland, whose education system is hailed as one of the best in the world, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. The DFA said the possible areas of cooperation to be explored are in “capacity building, education policy formulation, and use of information and communication technology in curriculum development and teacher training." The DFA said Philippine Ambassador to Finland Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina discussed about the matter with Education Secretary Armin Luistro in Manila earlier this month. The meeting between Sta. Catalina and Luistro was held a day prior to the fourth round of bilateral talks between the Philippines and Finland last June 10, according to the department. Present during the meeting were Department of Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Lorenzo Mateo and Philippine Embassy in Helsinki First Secretary Enrique Pingol. “Finland’s education system is hailed globally as one of the best in the world as attested by its constant high rankings in world surveys," the DFA said. It also said the provision of primary education and on the equality of opportunity in terms of access to further education for its people is a major anchor of Finland's development success. — JE, GMA News