A group of education advocates on Tuesday, July 25, commended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for highlighting resilience in education during his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his second State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Noel B. Pabalate)
Aral Pilipinas, a network of education practitioners, parents, students, and development workers who advocate for the continuity of education in times of crisis, commended Marcos for recognizing the importance of resilience in education. The group also cited Marcos for acknowledging that “addressing challenges in learning continuity requires collaboration across sectors and actors throughout the country.” Aral Pilipinas said it fully supports the government's efforts to “ensure learning continuity and resilience in the education sector” in line with the MATATAG Agenda championed by Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte. To push forward learning continuity and resiliency, Aral Pilipinas also expressed support for the proposed policy that “enables learners to transfer schools during times of disaster, even in cases where transfer credentials are unavailable or insufficient.” This, the group said, ensures that learners can “seamlessly continue their education without unnecessary disruptions brought about by natural disasters and armed conflict.” “By adopting this disaster-ready and data-driven approach, we can safeguard learners' access to quality education even in the face of precarity,” Aral Pilipinas added. For the group, such a policy contributes to the DepEd’s vision of “MATATAG” --- emphasizing the promotion of learner well-being, inclusive education, and the creation of a positive learning environment. “Through collaborative efforts and responsive policies, we reinforce the unity that strengthens our education system, making it resilient and capable of providing a nurturing environment for all learners, regardless of the challenges that may arise,” Aral Pilipinas said. “Together, let us work towards a brighter and more secure future for the Filipino youth and the entire nation,” the group added.