Davao City, Philippines – More than 30,000 children are set to graduate from the city government’s Child Development Centers (CDCs) this school year, underscoring the importance of accessible early childhood education in shaping the future of the city’s youth.
According to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the graduates include 5,050 boys and 5,375 girls aged three, as well as 10,249 boys and 10,265 girls aged four. These children have benefited from Davao City’s longstanding commitment to holistic child development through the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program.
Operated by the CSWDO, the program focuses not just on education, but also on health, nutrition, and social services — giving children from various communities a strong and healthy foundation for formal schooling.
“Diri sa atoang Child Development Center gina-ready nato ang atoang mga kabatan-onan para na sa ilahang formal education,” said Cayamombao Macadatar, ECCD Technical Staff, during an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio. (“Here at our Child Development Center we are preparing our youth for their formal education.”)
With over 600 CDCs spread across Davao City, the program ensures wide coverage and accessibility. Children aged three attend classes in the morning, while those aged four are scheduled in the afternoon, accommodating thousands of young learners daily.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled from April 21 to 30, while early enrollment for the next school year will begin on June 9.
Aside from academic readiness, the centers also prioritize children’s well-being through partnerships with the City Health Office. Health and nutrition services are integrated into the daily routine, including regular height and weight monitoring by Barangay Health Workers and a supplementary feeding program aimed at combating malnutrition.
“Ang atoang early education is dili education lang, kung dili naa pod ta’y HNS (Health, Nutrition and Sanitation),” Macadatar emphasized. (“Our early education program includes not just learning, but also health, nutrition, and sanitation.”)
Why Free Early Education Matters
Davao City’s CDC program reflects the growing recognition of free early education as a vital public investment. By offering services at no cost to families, the city not only eases the financial burden on parents but also ensures that children — regardless of socio-economic status — have equal opportunities to thrive.
Early education is widely acknowledged as a key factor in lifelong learning and success. It enhances a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development, setting the stage for better performance in primary school and beyond. It also helps close achievement gaps and contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty.
By institutionalizing these centers and supporting them with adequate staffing, health programs, and learning materials, Davao City demonstrates that quality education can start as early as age three — and that every child, regardless of background, deserves a strong start in life.
As the children don their togas and receive their certificates, they carry with them more than just academic lessons — they embody a vision of inclusive, child-centered development that other cities may well take inspiration from.