VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio pledged that the government will implement measures to improve access to quality education.

She reiterated the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to help the Department of Education improve and play catchup with the rest of the world.

“In the next six years, we will usher in reforms and changes necessary to improve access, equity, quality, resilience, and basic education governance. This is our moment to rise above and shine our light upon our learners,” Duterte said when she graced the 120th founding anniversary of the Department of Education Tarlac.

Tarlac is home to the oldest high school in the Philippines — the Tarlac National High School.

The DepEd chief lauded teachers for their role in molding the youth, a responsibility which she said was not easy.

“I cannot overemphasize our role in shaping the future. Let us work together to rebuild back better, stronger, and more resilient basic education in our beloved country,” the Vice President said.

She acknowledged that teaching a child is a serious commitment and a noble responsibility.

“Mahirap na trabaho ang humubog ng kaisipan ng isang bata. Nasusubok ang ating integridad bilang isang magulang at isang mamamayan,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“Kaya saludo ako sa mga guro at ating mga DepEd officials, mga nagpaplano para sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Ang kahalagahan ng isang tapat, may puso at may malasakit na guro ay hindi napapantayan ng kahit anumang yamang materyal, lalong-lalo na sa impluwensyang nabibigay nila sa mga kabataan,” she added.

The Vice President recognized the teachers who labored through many challenges, and lauded them for continuing to rise amid the pandemic.