Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte asked students of Montessori de San Juan in San Juan City to remain grateful to the people behind their success.
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks during the graduation ceremony of Montessori de San Juan in San Juan City on Thursday, April 27. (OVP photo)
The official said graduates must be thankful to their parents, teachers, friends, and everyone who contributed to their sacrifices.
“I would like to remind our graduates — do not forget to thank the people who have helped you achieve what you have achieved today,” she stressed.
Duterte was the speaker in the commencement exercise and moving up ceremony of Grades 6 and 12 students of the Montessori de San Juan.
The Vice President also encouraged students to have fun while pursuing academic excellence.
“I want to remind you, as you enter high school, that you should be champions in two things: one, you should be champions in having fun. Pangalawa (Second), you should be champions in making sure that you are doing good in school. Matuto kayong maging masaya habang kayo ay pumapasok at nag-aaral (Learn to be happy while you are studying),” she said.
“Make sure that you choose a course or a field that you are happy about,” Duterte added.
The official underscored the importance of ensuring the realization of their dreams, but that would only happen if they would pursue higher education.
As the Vice President was just recently in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, she shared about the difficulties students face coming to school due to various circumstances.
This is one of her goals as Education chief.
“Kami sa Department of Education (DepEd) have been thinking of many ways to make sure na kahit nagtatrabaho ‘yung bata — grade school, high school nagtatrabaho ‘yung bata — we make it possible for them na makapasok sa eskwela (We in the Department of Education have been thinking of many ways to make sure that even if the students are working—grade school, high school the kids are working—we make it possible for them to go to school),” she explained.
Under her leadership, the DepEd has options like blended learning or the Alternative Learning System (ALS) for students to cope with discussions.
“These are just some of the realities facing the Department of Education. They are problems that we are solving through various government interventions and programs with the help of education stakeholders and local government units,” she added.