Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a significant push to strengthen public-private collaboration in education, Education Secretary Sonny Angara is intensifying efforts to engage private education stakeholders through the Public-Private Complementarity Framework, following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for stronger partnerships with the private sector.
In collaboration with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), the Department of Education (DepEd) is developing a strategic three-year action plan to operationalize the Public-Private Complementarity Framework. This initiative is designed to tackle long-standing challenges such as overcrowding in public schools and the continuous improvement of teaching quality, aligning with the administration’s 5-Point Reform Agenda.
“As you all know, DepEd faces persistent challenges, but by working closely with our private partners, we can implement sustainable solutions that will transform our education system,” Sec. Angara stated.
Private Sector’s Role in Educational Reforms
DepEd recently convened private school leaders at the 27th National Convention and the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) Haligi ng Karunungan Awards. The event highlighted the vital role of private education institutions and their integration into the national education strategy.
During the convention, Sec. Angara recognized private schools' significant contributions to the country’s education system and reaffirmed DepEd’s commitment to strengthening policies that support them.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector in shaping the nation’s future. His administration is committed to fostering stronger collaboration, not just in business but also in education,” Angara emphasized.
Strengthening Integrity in Subsidy Programs
As part of its commitment to upholding transparency, DepEd has initiated an investigation into reports of ghost students under the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program. This alleged issue involves 12 private schools across nine divisions. Both PEAC and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) have expressed their full support for the department’s probe.
“The PEAC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the proper implementation of subsidy programs. Together, we will continue working towards a transparent, fair, and effective voucher program that genuinely serves the needs of Filipino learners,” PEAC stated.
Since its inception nine years ago, the SHS Voucher Program has supported approximately 6.1 million students. For the school year 2024-2025 alone, it has benefited 1,287,144 learners enrolled in 4,421 private senior high schools across the country.
Private Sector Mobilization for Quality Education
DepEd has been actively engaging the private sector to rally support for key initiatives, including preparations for international student assessments and enhancements to the SHS Work Immersion Program. To elevate the quality of education and assessment performance, 37 private schools have been selected to participate in these global benchmarking programs.
With the combined efforts of public and private stakeholders, Sec. Angara remains focused on ensuring that the education sector continuously adapts to the evolving demands of the future, delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes for Filipino students.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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