PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged various education stakeholders to work with government as he expressed support to the programs of the Department of Education.

“All of us have roles to play. We have parts to contribute. Let me issue a challenge to you all to become active key players in these efforts. Let us join hands and act in unison as we build the best education system that the Philippines have ever seen,” Marcos Jr. said in his keynote speech on Monday when Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivered her Basic Education Report.

“We owe it to our children to prioritize their wellbeing and give them the highest possible quality of education so they may become the innovators and the learners of tomorrow, not only in the Philippines but of the world,” the President added.

The event served as an avenue for the education stakeholders to convene and discuss the current landscape of basic education in the country and reaffirm their commitments to support the Department and its programs.

Marcos joined Duterte in signing their pledge of commitment to MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa, the newly-unveiled education agenda of the Department. Senators Miguel Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Rep. Roman Romulo also joined the ceremonial signing.

The MATATAG Agenda seeks to implement resilient reforms in the curriculum, education services and provision of facilities, learner well-being and teacher support programs.

Education partners also provided insights on learning poverty, curriculum, learner and teacher welfare and graduate employability.

“The challenges facing Philippine basic education today did not happen overnight and will not be solved overnight. Overcoming them requires sustained national political and societal commitment from the highest political levels to all members of the society,” World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei Ndiamè Diop said.

World Bank, UNICEF, Assessment, Curriculum, and Technology Research Centre, Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality of the Philippine Normal University, and Philippine Business for Education were among the five partners who promised continuous support to the Department.

“The Filipino children’s journey in basic education is challenging, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized. But the fact that we are gathered here today is a testament that we are ready to face the challenges together,” UNICEF Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.