COMMISSION on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Ang II vowed to help protect the integrity of Philippine schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ang raised the need to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine schools overseas (PSOs) during a high-level mission to the UAE that included a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver.
Ver raised the issue of unregulated online schooling platforms, which have reportedly disrupted the operations of legitimate PSOs.
Ang assured the embassy that the CFO would seek the intervention of the Department of Education to address these “fly-by-night” operations and protect the integrity of the overseas educational system.
The CFO on Wednesday said Ang’s mission centered on the growing demand for quality Filipino education as the PSO community in the UAE continues to expand.
The CFO and the embassy reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the PSO network.
Ang’s visit was part of the CFO’s mandate to regulate PSOs and ensure they “remain viable pillars for the Filipino diaspora.”
During his meeting with Ver, Ang highlighted the results of consultations with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge.
Local authorities reportedly encouraged the expansion of PSOs, citing not only the increasing Filipino population in UAE but also a rising interest from other nationalities in enrolling their children in the Philippine system.
Ver said that growth must be matched by academic rigor.
He noted that for Filipino students to qualify for admission to prestigious local institutions — such as Khalifa University — PSOs must ensure their curriculum, particularly in mathematics, meets international credentials.
As the lead agency of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, the CFO plays a crucial role in mitigating the “social costs” of migration.
By ensuring that Filipino children abroad have access to a curriculum that mirrors the one in their homeland, the CFO helps maintain a cultural and educational bridge, easing the eventual reintegration of families or the transition of students to higher education in the Philippines.
“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.
He pointed to the availability of the 10-year golden visa as a significant incentive for high-achieving Filipinos.
This long-term residency permit is granted under specific conditions, including proof of a stable monthly income, significant professional contributions, or community service.
Ang detailed several CFO initiatives aimed at professionalizing PSO management and improving student resources to further support these institutions.
The CFO said central to this are the newly signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) and the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA).
The partnership with PEAC is designed to provide PSOs with access to teacher training and school improvement programs usually reserved for domestic private schools.
Meanwhile, the agreement with PEPA ensures that overseas schools have a streamlined and reliable pipeline for the latest textbooks and educational materials, keeping them updated with the K–12 curriculum.
