RAFI, established in 1966, is dedicated to improving lives in the Visayas and Mindanao through programs focused on economic empowerment, social development, and resilient communities.

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Our collaboration began in response to the global COVID-19 crisis, but has since expanded into a long-term effort to build resilient, future-ready school leadership.

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Supporting school leaders during COVID-19 and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic caused prolonged school closures across the Philippines and forced schools to adopt new, unfamiliar modes of teaching. In response, we partnered with RAFI to roll out Upya, a leadership development program designed to help school leaders manage crisis and lead learning recovery.

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Upya is a curriculum GSL designed to help leaders navigate disruption and transition to new learning models such as remote or blended instruction. RAFI adapted the Upya modules for the Philippine context, adding country-specific examples, activities, and tools that school leaders could directly apply in their schools. These resources were first used in Cebu and are now expanding to schools across the country.

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The Department of Education has since accredited the Upya curriculum for national use, particularly to help school leaders respond to natural disasters, like typhoons and earthquakes, that regularly affect schooling in the Philippines.

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Strengthening Foundational Learning

RAFI has identified foundational literacy and numeracy as a major focus area of intervention, and have engaged local government units to strengthen their support to government schools. We are building this next phase of work together by sharing global best practices, engaging in impact assessment, and working towards change at the systemic level.