FILE PHOTO: Sen. Sonny Angara during the plenary session on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Angara, who is anticipated to take the helm of the Department of Education starting July 19, 2024, is expected to boost government assistance to teachers and poor but deserving students. The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), a five-member panel headed by the DepEd secretary, said they are optimistic about the expansion of initiatives for teachers and students under Angara’s leadership. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara, who is anticipated to take the helm of the Department of Education soon, is foreseen to boost government assistance to teachers and poor but deserving students.
The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), a five-member panel headed by the DepEd secretary, said they are optimistic about the expansion of initiatives for teachers and students under Angara’s leadership.
PEAC is constituted to serve as trustees of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education, a permanent and irrevocable trust fund.
PEAC Executive Director Doris Fernandez Ferrer said they are “eager to collaborate closely” with Angara to further the mission of the panel for an “inclusive, equitable, and superior educational system.”
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PEAC believed that with Angara at the helm of DepEd, they would be able to help more students through the expansion of their programs, which aim to make private education more accessible.
“We are committed to sustaining our mission of alleviating classroom shortages and student overflow in public schools by providing financial support to Filipino learners in private high schools through the Government Assistance and Subsidies (GAS) Programs,” Ferrer said in a statement Thursday.
Among the programs of PEAC are the Education Service Contracting and School Voucher programs, which give financial assistance to students transitioning from elementary to junior high and senior high school, respectively.
It also implements the Teacher Salary Subsidy (TSS), which offers annual subsidies to qualified teachers in ESC-participating schools, and the In-Service Training (INSET) program, which enhances teacher competencies through targeted training.
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According to Ferrer, Angara’s new role as Education Secretary marks “an era of renewed commitment and strategic initiatives for education in our nation.”
“Senator Angara’s distinguished record of policy reforms underscores his unwavering dedication to advancing education. His tireless advocacy for increased budget allocations, enhanced teacher training programs, and substantial infrastructure development has addressed critical gaps and elevated the standard of education,” she explained.
“His proactive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplify his commitment to elevate the quality education for every Filipino student,” she added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Angara as the next DepEd chief of his administration after Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from her Cabinet post.
Duterte quit in June and Angara is expected to replace her as head of DepEd starting July 19.
The DepEd community welcomed Angara’s designation and said in a statement that they “[look] forward to working with the new leadership as we continue our relentless pursuit towards improving the quality of basic education in the country.”