A circle of Makati businessmen said they look forward to working with the newly-appointed education secretary, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara.
In a statement, the Makati Business Club (MBC) congratulated and wished Angara the best for one of the most critical posts in the executive department.
“MBC looks forward to working with Senator Angara and wishes him all the best in this critical role, to ensure that elementary and high school principals and teachers are equipped with the literacy, technical, and character skills needed to prepare Filipino children and youth to meet the challenges of the future,” it said.
Angara’s work on education policy and legislation spans the proposing of Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 which created the Second Congressional Commission on Education.
He then served as one of EDCOM 2’s Commissioners and co-chaired its Governance and Finance Standing Committee.
The appointment of Angara comes at a time when the country ranked last among its ASEAN peers in the areas of science, reading, and mathematics, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s latest Program for International Assessment Report (PISA).
In the same survey, the country ranked 77th out of 81 countries that participated in the survey.
“These results highlight the urgent need for an experienced leader who will be able to transform and revive the Philippine education system,” the MBC stated.
“A well educated population is key to creating a competitive workforce that will be able to keep up with rapid technological developments given the acceleration of artificial intelligence,” it added.