Early education for sustainability in Philippines

At present, the pre-school will address an existing pressing need for early childhood development education for farmer's grandchildren and of children's friends' children plus the farm workers' children. The age group would be from 1-5 years old. The nearest day care center of the barangay is almost 4 kms. away and already full. This is the main rationale why it will be set up inside the farm.

The curriculum will focus on sustainable agriculture and the farm environment because that is the main occupation of the families of the target children. In order to sustain the operation and maintenance of the school, the farm will set aside a portion of the earnings from vegetable garden lots for the school.

Another idea that has been discusses is having an actual "Farm Ville" (as against the virtual facebook games) to be offered to urban yuppies in CdO who would like to do their own gardening but do not have the space to do so. The children of farm workers who will work in "Farm Ville" will be prioritized in the school.

Since we will be catering to pre-school age, the DepEd will not be required instead what looks likely is that the Social Welfare Department will be our partner government agency here. Other agencies are being contacted for assistance especially in establishing a partnership with the Community of Learners Foundation Inc. (COLF). So far, COLF has proven themselves in community-based and progressive learning approaches which is recognized internationally. The proposal to them integrates early childhood development, parent education, family literacy and livelihood programs.