Making international education affordable to Filipino families

When it comes to parenting, we all have our own styles and techniques. But while every approach can be quite distinct across each family, there is probably one thing us parents all have in common: we all want to see our children succeed. We all want to see the next generation soar higher than we did. 

I believe that to be an undeniable fact, and my belief is reinforced by the thousands of encounters and interviews I've had during my work in Bantay Bata 163. When parents and guardians were asked what motivated them the most to escape their unfortunate situation, the prevailing answer was the well-being, the safety, and the future of their children. 

Education stands as the cornerstone of this collective vision for our children, the foundation that they can build their future on. In this pursuit, I’ve noticed that there has been an increasing number of parents who are looking towards international education, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping students into global citizens poised for success.

But the allure of international education is often accompanied by challenges, both logistical and financial, that can quickly deter aspiring students and their families. It is, however, encouraging to know that there are people and institutions that are working to extend the opportunity to study abroad to more Filipinos. 

I’ve come to find out that one of the leading institutions in this sector, both as a beacon of accessibility and innovation, is Thames International. Since its beginnings in 1999, Thames has since made its name as one of the top choices for international schools in the country. 

It’s also heartening to know that Thames is led by one of my good friends, its co-founder and president Joel Santos, whom I’ve known since my days in Ateneo. When it comes to leaders and experts in the education sector, only few can match Joel as a passionate and dedicated visionary. 

I know this, and I’m sure many in public and private education would say the same, as Joel is one of the country’s most active advocates for high-quality learning. He has been, in fact, instrumental to our government in crafting initiatives and policies centered in raising the quality of education