By Katrina Gracia Consebido
Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday, urged local leaders to prioritize education investments for Filipino students to strengthen the education system and address other issues.
“It has always been said that education is the greatest equalizer. Sa edukasyon po, walang mahirap, walang mayaman — lahat po sila ay graduates,” Duterte said.
To address the ongoing problems in the education sector, Duterte proposed building of classrooms and school infrastructure, hiring more teachers, and institutionalizing the blended learning program.
Duterte added that DepEd is currently coordinating with the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Department of Health.
Meanwhile, Duterte said the DepEd and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have an ongoing commitment for a monthly updating on the deliverables for the implementation of benefits for the teaching and non-teaching staff.
“Ina-acknowledge po nila [GSIS] ang lahat ng demands namin at sinasabihan namin sila na dapat po buwan-buwan ay mayroon kaming coordination meeting hanggang sa maayos namin ang mga accounts ng ating mga teaching and non-teaching personnel sa Department of Education,” Duterte continued.
“Mayroon po kaming kinakausap na mga grupo ng mga abogado na kung pwede ay tulungan nila kami na mabigyan ng free legal advice ang ating mga guro bago sila pumirma ng kontrata ng loan obligation o utang,” she added. – gb
