Officials from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Department of Education (DepEd) arrived last October 19 in Saudi Arabia to conduct ocular inspections of select Philippine schools until October 30.
The inspection is part of the Philippine government’s mandate to ensure that Philippine schools overseas comply with the regulatory and documentary requirements of both the DepEd and the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, while ensuring that they provide an education that meets Philippine and international standards.
Among the Philippine schools inspected in the Western Region are the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), Durat Al Sharq International School, Al Dura International School, and the Shorouq Al Mamlakah International School in Taif.
The first three schools are based in Jeddah, while the other one is located in Taif. Other schools to be inspected are the International Philippine School in Al Khobar, Al Madj International School in Dammam, and the Al Taj International School in Riyadh.
The officials said at the courtesy call to Philippine Consulate General that their ocular inspection will also serve as a venue to discuss issues faced by Philippines schools in the Kingdom, as well as the challenges in education by the administrators, students and parents.
Acting Head of Post of Jeddah PCG Consul Mary Jennifer Dingal also gave an overview of the government rules and educational system in the Kingdom which Philippine schools have to adhere to. She said that the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah will continue to assist in the coordination of DepEd and CFO, the Philippine schools under its jurisdiction, and all the stakeholders to ensure that Philippine schools operate smoothly and can deliver quality education to Filipino students in the Kingdom.
