VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the Department of Education has continued to strengthen its partnership with law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety and protection of schools and learners.

“We continue to strengthen our partnership with the Philippine National Police to ensure that our schools and learners are protected from criminality and illegal drugs,” Duterte said in her speech during the National Children’s Month Culminating Activity at the Manila Hotel on Monday (27 Nov 2023).

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines has also been very helpful in our campaign to protect our learners from the recruitment of violent extremism and insurgency,” she added.

Duterte also said that the Department of Education is tasked to provide children with a safe, nurturing, and loving life that allows them to play, learn, and grow into responsible, productive, and well-rounded individuals.

“This task is binding and requires our will, commitment, and a strong sense unity of purpose as a community of elected leaders, policymakers, educators, advocates, development partners, business sector supporters, and parents — all working together to champion Filipino children,” she said.

“As a community, we are dedicated to upholding a child’s right to survival, protection, development, and participation. We cannot fail our children. We must not fail our children,” the Vice President added.