PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that education remains the top priority of his administration, highlighting lifelong learning, curriculum reforms, expanded scholarship programs, and strengthened technical-vocational education during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Marcos said education remains the foundation for developing the capabilities of every Filipino, stressing that learning should begin in early childhood and continue throughout an individual’s lifetime.

“Education remains the foremost priority of this administration,” the President said, urging Filipinos to embrace lifelong learning and continuous self-improvement to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global environment.

The President emphasized that recent global developments have further highlighted the need to reskill and upskill Filipino workers to meet evolving labor market demands.

Marcos also cited the increasing employability of Senior High School graduates, noting that more than 1,500 graduates were hired on the spot during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fairs held in March.

He added that Senior High School graduates are now eligible to apply for entry-level positions in government.

To further enhance job readiness, Marcos said the government continues to improve the Senior High School curriculum by strengthening work immersion programs, enabling students to gain practical experience in their chosen fields before entering the workforce.

The President also highlighted gains in Philippine higher education, noting the increasing number of local colleges and universities receiving international recognition.

He reported that only 12 Philippine higher education institutions were included in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) in 2022, but the number has since increased to 140 institutions. More than half of these recognized schools are state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs), where students benefit from free tuition programs.

To encourage more young Filipinos to pursue and complete higher education, Marcos announced that the Office of the President has allocated ₱100,000 each for five students from every barangay nationwide under the newly established Presidential Scholars Program.

The President likewise underscored the importance of technical-vocational education and training (TVET) in expanding employment opportunities, reporting that TVET graduates now have an 81-percent placement rate.

Among the government’s initiatives, Marcos cited the Tsuper Iskolar and En-TSUPER-neur programs, which provide public utility vehicle drivers with technical skills and livelihood opportunities to help them transition to alternative sources of income.

Marcos said these education and skills development initiatives are part of the administration’s broader efforts to equip Filipinos with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to succeed in school, the workplace, and lifelong careers.