PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told new Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara to ensure that the quality of education in the country would improve at the earliest possible time.

Marcos made the remarks in his speech during his third State of the Nation Address on Monday at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

“Ito ngayon ang magiging hamon sa ating bagong kalihim, na tiyakin ang pagbangon at pagtaas ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.

Angara formally assumed the education portfolio last July 19, a month after former DepEd chief and Vice President Sarah Duterte tendered her resignation.

Earlier, Marcos said that he is “very optimistic” that Angara would be able to perform well in his new position.

“We are looking forward to many good things that formalize his taking on the position of Secretary for DepEd and we are looking forward to many good things to come from this appointment,” the Chief Executive said as he administered the oath of the new DepEd chief.

“I know [Sec.] Sonny knows what is important and I know that he knows how to get things done and so I am very very optimistic for DepEd,” he added.