Education Secretary Sonny Angara met with teachers and students of Palawan National School in Puerto Princesa City on Tuesday, outlining planned reforms in infrastructure, digital learning and teacher welfare as DepEd officials continue their regional consultations.
Accompanied by DepEd Management Committee officials, Angara said they are touring all regions to gather feedback and address gaps between the central office and schools.
“Ang ginagawa talaga namin dito is to visit all the regions. Now is really the time to talk to you guys and get feedback,” he said, adding that the department needs direct feedback from the field.
The secretary also stressed improving learning outcomes is a priority directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Gusto ni President talaga, President Bongbong, ay uh to improve our learning outcomes talaga,” he said, citing results of international assessment tests.
Angara identified infrastructure as a critical concern for schools nationwide.
“Number one is infrastructure, we need to improve our infrastructure,” he said.
School officials of PNS earlier noted that Grade 7 classes remain housed at Puerto Princesa East Central School due to limited classrooms.
Angara said DepEd is proposing that local governments help deliver classroom projects.
“What we are proposing for the next year is we allow the local government units,” he said.
Teachers also raised security issues on campus. Angara said PNS may allocate part of its maintenance funds to strengthen safety measures.
“A big school like you ay mas pwede pang bigyan ng mas malaking pondo, at least 1 million pesos on the average ayun pwedeng pagkunan ng security guard,” he said.
Flooding inside the campus was also flagged. Angara acknowledged the concern.
“Drainage is a legitimate form of flood control,” he said.
He added that environmental solutions such as tree planting should also be pursued.
Angara also discussed teacher-related issues, including training and career progression.
“Rather than one size fits all, we’re really trying to consult with our teachers and really trying to give them the training that they needed,” he said.
On promotions, he said the government aims to reverse teacher attrition.
“We must promote our people, we must treat them all, kasi mag-aalisan yan,” he said.
He also noted that DepEd is boosting administrative and protocol personnel and has allocated funds for the hiring of 30,000 teachers next year.
“Thirty thousand teachers for next year, lahat po yan nakatingin sa kinabukasan,” he said.
During the visit, DepEd turned over laptops to the school. Angara also donated five personal laptops.
“We donated 5 personal laptops through fundraising since our IT budget was cut 10 billion,” he said.
Angara described PNS as a significant and historic institution in the region.
“It’s my first time in this school at uh napakaganda ng school ninyo,” he said, calling its century-old Gabaldon building a “national treasure.”
