For PBEd, the "prompt appointment and seamless transition" of the Education Secretary is crucial in addressing the education crisis.
The appointment of an "experienced, qualified, competent and dependable" DepEd Secretary must be "prioritized over political considerations," according to PBEd.
PBEd urged President Marcos to appoint a new Education Secretary who is a "competent manager with a good track record, immersed in the sector and an advocate of transparency, participatory governance, and data-driven decision making.
Next DepEd Secretary: Who will lead the Department of Education?
PBEd recommends 4 exceptional leaders; urges swift appointment to address the learning crisis
Jun 28, 2024 05:02 AM
At a glance
Anticipation builds for the new Education Secretary following President Marcos' announcement that he will appoint the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) this week.
Industry-led advocacy group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) reiterated its appeal to Marcos on Friday, June 28, emphasizing the need to appoint “people immersed in the education sector to hit the ground running in solving the learning crisis.”
The position of DepEd Secretary remains vacant following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte on June 19. Her resignation becomes effective on July 19 or 10 days before the opening of School Year (SY) 2024-2025 on July 29.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/20/dep-ed-sets-opening-for-school-year-2024-2025-on-july-29
As announced by DepEd, enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools will start on July 3 until July 26.
“With so many problems hounding our education system, what we need is qualified leadership and management of the bureaucracy,” PBEd said in a statement.
Swift appointment
PBEd has endorsed individuals for the President's consideration in choosing the next DepEd Chief.
In a letter addressed to President Marcos dated June 24, PBEd President Chito Salazar urged Marcos to “swiftly appoint” the new Secretary of Education to “prevent any disruption in the education of our children.”
“The prompt appointment and seamless transition of the Education Secretary is crucial in addressing the education crisis,” PBEd said. “More importantly, the choice of an experienced, qualified, competent, and dependable Secretary must be prioritized over political considerations,” it added.
PBEd pointed out that the challenges in education and human capital development, as well as the continued learning struggles of Filipino children and youth, “demand both urgency and competence.”
As an advocacy group founded by top business leaders in the country that pushes for an education system enabling all Filipinos to lead productive lives and contribute to national development, it recommended four “exceptional leaders” for Marcos's consideration as the new DepEd Secretary.
“We trust in your wisdom and commitment to Filipino learners, and eagerly await your selection, knowing he or she will prioritize the future of Philippine education,” PBEd said.
Recommendations
To effectively lead the country out of the learning crisis, PBEd said the new Education Secretary must be a “competent manager with a good track record, immersed in the sector, and an advocate of transparency, participatory governance, and data-driven decision-making.”
For this important position, PBEd has recommended Senator Sonny Angara as the next DepEd Secretary.
As one of the “most seasoned, hardworking, and productive members of Congress,” PBEd said Angara has “advocated policies that have significantly impacted education, employment, entrepreneurship, and the economy in general.”
Angara, PBEd noted, was also one of the five senators who filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 calling for the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and is currently one of its commissioners, co-chairing the Governance and Finance Standing Committee.
“As his term draws to a close, we believe Senator Angara can continue to serve in a different yet equally important capacity,” the group said.
PBEd is also pushing for Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian as the next DepEd Chief.
“His award-winning and sustainable reforms in Valenzuela’s education sector stand as a testament to his commitment and competence,” PBEd said. Gatchalian's background in the DSWD and his tenure as a former Mayor, the group added, also provide a “distinct approach to addressing the learning crisis through community development and local empowerment.”
As one of the first proponents of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), PBEd is recommending Congressman Kiko Benitez as the next Secretary of DepEd.
Aside from being an EDCOM 2 commissioner and the co-chairperson of the Early Childhood Care and Development and Basic Education Standing Committee, Benitez is a former university president and champion of education, innovation, sustainability, and social equity in Congress.
These qualities, PBEd said, will bring “a unique blend of academic, managerial, and public policy expertise to addressing our learning crisis” should Marcos consider his appointment as DepEd Chief.
PBEd is also backing Dr. Milwida Guevara, the President of Synergeia Foundation, as the new DepEd Secretary.
Guevara, PBEd said, has led the organization in its extensive work in empowering local governments to “efficiently and equitably deliver education services and enable every Filipino child to complete good elementary education.”
PBEd noted that Guevara also served as a Career Undersecretary in the Department of Finance, Republic of the Philippines, from 1991 to 2000.
“Dr. Guevara’s expertise in public finance, basic education delivery, and governance makes her well-equipped for the demands of the position,” the group said.
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