The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, February 2, underscored the importance of learner participation in shaping education reforms as it moves toward a more future-ready and learner-centered system, with a focus on strengthening foundations in early education.

During the International Day of Education celebration at Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School in Makati City, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said ongoing reforms are increasingly anchored on students’ real classroom experiences to improve teaching methods, learning engagement, and assessment practices.

Angara announced the historic expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program, which will now provide universal feeding for all kindergarten and Grade 1 learners in public schools nationwide for the full 180-day school year.

“We will have universal feeding for all public schools in the Philippines for kindergarten and Grade 1 learners for 180 days for the full school cycle,” Angara said. “For the first time in Philippine history, the budget is now almost ten times bigger,” he added.

Angara stressed that strengthening foundational learning is critical to long-term academic success, citing how developed education systems prioritize early childhood development.

“Kung titignan natin yung mga bansa na maunlad sa edukasyon, nakatutok po sila doon sa pundasyon (If we look at countries that are advanced in education, they focus on the foundation),” Angara said.

“Pag mahina ang pundasyon, mahina din ang itatayong gusali o anumang itatayo sa ibabaw nito (If the foundation is weak, then whatever is built on it will also be weak),” he stressed. “It doesn’t just involve what we teach in the classroom. It also involves what we do at home — how we bring up our children,” Angara added.

To make learning more interactive and effective, Angara encouraged schools and teachers to fully utilize digital and instructional platforms provided by DepEd, including Khan Academy Philippines, Canva, Google, and Microsoft tools.

“So by all means, let’s make use of the tools being made available by the Department to maximize our students’ learning. We really want to make things more fun and engaging because we realize this is a system that we all co-create together, and it’s for the benefit of everyone,” Angara said.

Education partners highlighted the growing role of students and youth leaders as active contributors in shaping the country’s education policies.

Ivan Anthony Henares, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, emphasized that young people are not merely participants in education but its driving force.

“As lifelong learners, volunteers, peer educators, innovators, advocates, and future leaders, youth are not just participants in education,” he said. “They are its driving force,” he added.

UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Kyungsun Kim echoed the importance of learner involvement in making reforms more relevant and responsive.

“Your voice, your creativity, your courage, and your power help shape the future of education in the Philippines and the future of the country,” Kim said.

The event, themed “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” gathered student leaders, youth advisers, teachers, and DepEd officials from across the National Capital Region to celebrate education and discuss reform initiatives.

DepEd said learner-centered policies, stronger foundational programs, and digital innovation are central to its push for quality, inclusive, and future-ready education.