Nutrition is Education Reform

When we talk about fixing the Philippine Education crisis, we usually focus on classrooms, teachers, and the system as a whole.

But the truth is that the education crisis does not start at Grade 1.

Today, Filipino youth under the age of 5 are stunted. Stunting is not just about the height of the child in relation to their age. It is chronic malnutrition that stunts the growth and development of the human brain during the most crucial period of their development.

A child who is stunted is significantly more likely to drop out, repeat grades, and struggle with basic reading and numeracy, as is evident currently.

In the Philippines, ten-year-olds struggle to read simple text. We cannot fix reading scores without fixing nutrition.

If we were to improve learning outcomes, nutrition is education reform.

Together with the SK, let us push for the allocation of funding to maternal care and supplementary feeding programs aimed at curbing early childhood stunting.

Let us continue to invest in the First 1000 Days of our youth, as we cannot build a strong mind on an empty and undernourished foundation.

If we want a smarter, brighter Philippines, we must feed our children's bodies before we can feed their minds.