Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Whole-of-government action needed to solve learning crisis — DepEd
Philippines
National
Whole-of-government action needed to solve learning crisis — DepEd
Whole-of-government action needed to solve learning crisis — DepEd
Angara says education reforms need coordinated support from Congress, LGUs, and other agencies
Published Jan 29, 2026 09:24 pm
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara underscores the need for a whole-of-government approach to address the Philippines’ learning crisis following the turnover of the EDCOM 2 Final Report and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan to President Marcos. (DepEd photo)
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, January 29, underscored the need for a whole-of-government approach to address the country’s learning crisis, calling for stronger coordination among key agencies to fast-track education reforms and close long-standing gaps in student achievement.
“The learning crisis is not a DepEd problem alone,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement. “The roadmap is clear, but delivery will depend on how well the entire government moves together,” he added.
DepEd urged a whole-of-government approach following the formal turnover of the EDCOM 2 Final Report and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) to President Marcos, who noted that the report outlines a 10-year roadmap aimed at reversing learning losses and strengthening education outcomes nationwide.
Angara emphasized that while DepEd has begun implementing key reforms, many of the most urgent solutions require collaboration across government agencies, Congress, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector.
“We are ready to work closely with Congress and all our partners to ensure that these reforms are felt in our schools and by our teachers and learners,” Angara said.
DepEd highlights early childhood, nutrition as critical gaps
DepEd said the EDCOM 2 findings underscore the importance of strengthening early childhood care and development, particularly nutrition programs for children aged 0 to 5.
The department noted that improving child nutrition and early learning outcomes cannot be addressed by the education sector alone, calling for stronger coordination among agencies such as the National Nutrition Council, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
It also backed the report’s push for sustained national and local funding to convert daycare centers into fully equipped child development centers — a responsibility largely handled by LGUs with national government support.
Aligning education with workforce needs
DepEd likewise pointed to persistent gaps between schooling and employment outcomes, stressing the need for closer alignment with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
This is especially critical in Senior High School technical-vocational tracks, teacher education, and professional licensing systems.
DepEd welcomed the recommendation to establish a unified labor market information system involving the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and TESDA to better match education programs with industry demands.
It also supported the full rollout of enterprise-based training and industry-led upskilling initiatives.
Congress, DBM seen as key to education reforms
Angara said the success of the reforms will also depend on legislative action and adequate financing.
He called on Congress to update education-related laws, including policies on the use of local education funds, expanding the Adopt-a-School Program to encourage private sector participation, and modernizing teacher licensing systems.
DepEd also flagged the need to revise laws governing school division management and teacher deployment, while fully enforcing existing measures that link education with workforce development.
The EDCOM 2 report further urged Congress and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to support staffing reforms across DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, noting that expanded mandates under K to 12, free higher education, and TVET programs have outgrown current human resource structures.
Strengthening inter-agency coordination
DepEd echoed the report’s call to reinforce inter-agency platforms such as the Education and Workforce Development Group to ensure aligned budgets, joint planning, and shared accountability for learning outcomes.
Angara said DepEd is prepared to lead its part of the reforms but stressed that sustained progress will require consistent cooperation across administrations.
“We already see alignment under President Marcos’ leadership,” Angara said. “The challenge now is execution — staying the course, aligning budgets and incentives, and holding ourselves jointly accountable for learning outcomes,” he added.