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Voters urged to 'elect education leaders' to address the PH learning crisis
Voters urged to 'elect education leaders' to address the PH learning crisis
To address the learning crisis in the country’s education system, the coalition who championed K to 12 Law reconvened on Monday, Oct. 4, to challenge 2022 electoral candidates to adopt a 10-point education reform agenda and encourage voters to elect education leaders.
Business leaders, education experts, and development advocates gathered together and virtually relaunched “Education Nation” and announced its 10-point reform agenda that calls for a sustainable and holistic approach to solve education’s complex issues.
Attended by the country’s top leaders in the business sector, civil society groups, and schools, the 10-point reform agenda includes providing adequate resources for education, eradicating hunger and malnutrition, empowering teachers, and strengthening local education governance.
The online launch was also attended by education experts including former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretaries Br. Armin Luistro, Dr. Fe Hidalgo, Dr. Edilberto de Jesus, Dr. Erlinda Pefianco, and former Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Bautista.
With the ultimate goal of electing an education administration, the coalition does not only challenge the 2022 candidates but also the voters to ensure that the right people are elected.
By signing a unity statement, the coalition will consolidate priority reforms and programs of the education and development sectors, and leverage private sector resources to help the new administration deliver on its education promises – just like what it did when it was first convened in 2009 when it helped in the passage and implementation of the K to 12 Law.
“The list of to-dos is long but here is where we start, together,” said Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Chairman Ramon del Rosario, Jr. during his opening remarks.
“There is no one solution to the learning crisis but through Education Nation, we hope to heighten the conversations between voters and our future leaders to achieve our collective goal of every Filipino learning and thriving,” he added.
With unique educational and socio-economic problems per region down in every barangay, the coalition encourages local groups and concerned individuals outside Metro Manila to organize their own regional chapters of "Education Nation."
“The learning crisis is complex and there’s no silver bullet,” said PBEd Executive Director Love Basillote. Thus, she urged the voters and other stakeholders to “demand the right kind of education for your communities.”