GABRIELA Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas challenged newly appointed Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara to urgently address the pressing issues plaguing the education sector that his predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, failed to resolve during her tenure.

“The change in leadership at DepEd must not be mere musical chairs. Secretary Angara must provide concrete solutions to the myriad problems facing our students, teachers, and the entire education system which VP Sara Duterte refused to address,” Brosas stated.

The partylist representative also called on Angara to reconsider his previous stance on mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the K to 12 program, both of which he had expressed support for in the past.

“Bilang isa sa mga author at sponsor noon ng K to 12 program, kailangan ngayon harapin ni Sec. Angara ang mga issues hinggil dito. Sabi nila noon, makakabuti ang K-12 para sa mga kabataan pero nakikita natin ngayon na mas lalo silang nalugmok sa kahirapan at kawalan ng trabaho,” Brosas said.

“Suportado rin ni Sec. Angara ang mandatory ROTC na tinututulan ng mga estudyante at kanilang mga magulang. Ang dapat tiyakin ng DepEd ay kalidad na edukasyon, hindi militarisasyon sa mga eskwelahan,” she added.

Brosas said that Angara must present a comprehensive plan to address the alarming learning poverty rate, the shortage of classrooms and learning materials, and the long-standing issues of overworked and underpaid teachers.

“The Filipino people, especially our students and teachers, need to see concrete plans and immediate action to address the education sector’s woes. Secretary Angara must prove that he is up to the task and not just another political appointee perpetuating failed and anti-people policies,” Brosas concluded.