Nearing his first 100 days in office, former senator-turned Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara makes an accounting of his accomplishments aligned with President Marcos’ directive to secure basic education services and prepare learners for work.
“We made the curriculum more flexible to maximize the learning time of students. We created a PISA Task Force to prepare our students for the upcoming international assessment. We’re assessing our reading interventions and Senior High School curriculum,” Angara said during a luncheon meeting hosted by European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Wednesday.
Angara also noted the efforts of his department in improving the benefits of teachers, which includes a review of the Teacher Development Plan, policy on career progression, and additional benefits.
“Our teachers need policies that give them more time to teach, more resources for their lessons, more salary in their bank accounts. They require sturdy career progress and reliable support like guidance counsellors, both currently lacking in our system.” Angara said.
Moreover, he underscored the significance of existing partnerships with organizations like Khan Academy, Frontlearners, iamtheCODE, Jollibee, Rebisco, and Milo, as well as international bodies such as the World Bank and UNICEF to strengthen DepEd programs.
Angara also presses for more partnership with the private sector to help the department in bridging gaps in the education sector.
“With your support, we can transform this massive system into a force for positive change. I hope you join me not just in my first 100 days, but also in hundreds more to come. DepEd may be the largest, but with partners like you, we’re certainly not the loneliest,” he added.
Angara noted that the Department of Education is keen on collaborating with private organizations, particularly in areas such as laptops, resources, electrification, educational technology, infrastructures, and support for children with special needs.
“The private sector has always been our accountability partner. In a cycle of leadership changes, they help ensure that programs continue,” he noted.
