The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) has expressed its support for the Department of Education (DepEd) 's MATATAG agenda that Vice President Sara Duterte launched during the agency's Basic Education Report (BER) 2023 early this week.
The "MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa" agenda aims to address the challenges and roadblocks that young learners face.
It stands for a four-side holistic approach to basic education improvement:
- MAke the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens.
- TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision of facilities.
- TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment.
- Give support for teachers to teach better.
"We will make the curriculum relevant to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens," Vice President Duterte said.
In December last year, the PSAC Jobs Sector met with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Vice President Duterte, and other relevant government officials to discuss concrete plans to create more and better jobs for Filipinos.
One of the PSAC proposals presented was to build skills and capabilities that would allow longer-term competitiveness, reflected in the first factor of DepEd's MATATAG agenda.
"Under the leadership of Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte, PSAC fully supports their efforts and comprehensive plans for improving the Philippine basic education system," Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said.
"We believe that it will bring about positive change for students, educators, and the country as a whole," he added.
According to Concepcion, the PSAC is committed to working with the government and other partners to help achieve the goals DepEd has set out and contribute to developing a well-educated and skilled workforce.
PSAC Jobs Sector recommended identifying specific skills for long-term competitiveness and revamping basic and higher education and workforce development to drive productivity and encourage entrepreneurship.
The skills identified during the said meeting last year were English proficiency, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related skills, and digital readiness.
In addition, the PSAC recommended further integration between DepEd, the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and to work with the private sector to set standards, update curricula, and design training programs that match with the fundamental skill needs of priority sectors.
These recommendations were reflected in the speech of Vice President Duterte and the DepEd's MATATAG agenda.