To improve educational outcomes across the Philippines, leaders of private schools have pledged to collaborate with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara.
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and other private educational organizations have pledged to work with the new Education Secretary.
“We are ready to share our resources in response to immediately address the goals of the Department of Education under your leadership, to meet the education system’s challenges related to quality, employability, and public-private complementarity, including the expansion of government assistance and subsidies,” COCOPEA Chairman Fr. Albert N. Delvo told Angara during a Thanksgiving dinner early this week.
The groups also offered to extend aid to DepEd in enhancing the quality of basic education through various initiatives, including learner programs, curricular reforms, teacher development, and capacity-building efforts.
They also emphasized the importance of public-private complementarity programs.
“We look forward to a fruitful partnership and are eager to support your endeavors to enhance the quality of education in the Philippines,” the association added.
COCOPEA endorsed Angara to become the next DepEd Secretary following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte in June.
In an open letter released on July 19, COCOPEA also highlighted the potential impact of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) voucher program, which would enhance educational opportunities for millions of Filipino public school students, fostering complementarity between public and private schools, and driving overall improvement in the quality of education nationwide.
“We stand ready to assist you as proactive partners in this mission,” COCOPEA said. “We are ready to share our collective expertise and resources as we work together in the spirit of an all-of-society approach,” the association added.
COCOPEA is composed of five national educational associations: Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP); Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU); Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU); Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU); and the Unified TVET of the Philippines (UniTVET). COCOPEA represents the largest group of private schools, colleges, universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country.
Other private school groups that extend support to Angara are the Bicol Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (BAPCU); Davao Colleges and Universities Network Inc. (DACUN), and Association of Private, State Colleges, Universities in Region XI (APSCUR XI).
The group recognized the urgent need to address challenges in the Philippine education system, such as access to quality education, technological integration, and infrastructure improvement.
"By working together, we can create a more robust and responsive educational framework that benefits all students, regardless of their background," they noted.
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