VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on members of the SEAMEO Council to work together and make changes that will make lasting impact on learners.

Duterte made the call after assuming the leadership of the council.

She promoted the regional operation mechanism that will enable ASEAN countries to work together by sharing and championing their best practices in their respective education systems.

“The Philippines humbly accepts the challenge in leading its ASEAN counterparts in the post-pandemic recovery by pursuing much-needed reforms to our education system, ensuring that these fit within our priority, education agenda, outline, and the SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021 to 2030,” Duterte said in her speech.

“I am pleased to note that your unwavering unity in our shared cause for enhanced cooperation in education, science, and culture has strengthened and allowed us to rise above the difficulties we faced within our organizations and our respective institutions,” she added.

The DepEd chief thanked and acknowledged the efforts made by the former Council president, H.E Chan Chun Sing of Singapore, that led to reforms that helped learners cope with the effects of the pandemic.

“As we move forward to a new chapter of cooperation for the greater good of the ASEAN Region and our respective countries it is my hope that the gains we have achieved in the past years will enable a new way for a proactive and unprecedented region of developments in our priority areas,” Duterte said.

She stressed the importance of discussions, particularly among the education ministers, and how they can better contribute for a brighter future for children.

“We will take advantage of our diversity and varied experiences to rethink our current practices to innovate and make policies, plans, and frameworks that will further strengthen our existing education systems. I look forward to productive discussions with you throughout this presidency as we work towards our shared education goals in harmony and solidarity,” she said.

Duterte also acknowledged SEAMEO as one of the most proactive partners of DepEd in support of teachers, researchers, and learners.

“Together, let us pursue our mission to achieve equitable, quality, and inclusive education through effective collaboration and leadership. Let us work for the brighter future of our children, our respective nations, and the whole of ASEAN,” she said.