Marcos instructs DepEd in its ‘transformational journey’: Padayon

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to simply continue what it is doing as it carries out educational reforms in the country.

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivered the Basic Education Report, highlighting different achievements in 2023 and plans for the future.

“The building blocks of a modern, responsive educational system have now been laid. It is something we have waited for, for many, many, many years. At this juncture in our transformational journey, my instruction is simply this: padayon, padayon, padayon,” said Marcos in his speech in Manila.

Padayon translates to “carry on.”

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One of the highlights Duterte presented was the decongestion of the basic education curriculum and the focus on foundational skills.

“We are decongesting the curriculum with a focus on the development of foundational skills. I am happy that the DepEd is piloting a new K-10 curriculum in 35 schools across the region,” said Marcos.

The President said assessing how the government handles the education system was important.

“That is how education is improved, whether it is for one individual or for an entire race: To take stock of where we are, to find feats worth celebrating, and identify flaws that must be corrected,” said Marcos.

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