Angara highlights importance of support to boost student performance in schools
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the need for comprehensive support systems in schools to elevate student performance, urging collaboration between the government and the private sector to provide students with the resources, tools, and opportunities essential for academic success.

Angara highlighted the necessity of strengthening educational support for improved learner performance during a field visit led by DepEd, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom2), and UNICEF in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
“What is clear is that the schools and students who perform best are those who are supported not only within the schools but also at home, by the community, and by the local governments,” Angara said.
DepEd, EdCom2, and UNICEF recognized the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Gapan City for its exemplary resource management and outstanding student achievements, establishing it as a model for public school financing throughout the Philippines.
“Spread the word of how you did it,” Angara encouraged, underscoring the potential for replication in other areas.
Angara urged the SDO Gapan staff to share their best practices with other divisions, which highlighted the city's resourcefulness in managing limited Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
Gapan East Elementary School and Kapalangan National High School were recognized by UNICEF as Top Performing Schools, exemplifying how effective MOOE and Special Education Fund (SEF) usage can yield exceptional results.
During the field visit, Angara and EdCom2 Co-Chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian provided insights on Gapan’s strategies.
In these schools, it was noted that strong support from parents and local government units (LGUs) contributed to students achieving a 95 percent score in the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) and above-average results in the National Achievement Tests (NAT6 and NAT10).
EdCom2 Director Karol Mark Yee explained that the field visit aimed to understand the financial strategies that contributed to the schools' high performance, which could serve as a model for institutions of different sizes.
With insights gathered, UNICEF Deputy Representative Behzad Noubary and Gapan City Mayor Joy Pascual expressed optimism about Gapan's sustainable model for addressing immediate funding challenges while advancing long-term educational goals.