Education chief: Coordination among stakeholders key to success

MANILA, Philippines –Education Secretary Armin Luistro on Monday stressed the importance of coordination among stakeholders as the key to success of the country’s education system.

While the start of classes was met with a lot of problems, Luistro said these problems were being addressed by school principals.

“Ang key talaga sa pagbubukas ng klase ay ang principal, pero kailangan niya ng tulong ng mga stakeholders (The key to the opening of classes is the school principal, but he or she needs the help of the stakeholders),” he said over Radyo Inquirer.

Luistro cited as example the Ilugin Elementary School in Pasig City, which managed to proceed with the opening of classes even if the school building was still under renovation.

He also stressed the need for active participation from local government units, especially in assisting the basic needs of the students.

In Pasig City, for instance, local government provided students with jogging pants to fight dengue, and feeding programs to address their health concerns, Luistro said.

“Kung present ang lahat ng elements na ito, mas maganda yung learning environment (If all these elements are present, the learning environment will be better),” he said.

Aside from looking for long-term solutions to the education woes, , it is also equally important, Luistro said, to keep track of the welfare of students.

“Habang ginagawan natin ng long-term solutions, huwag naman nating hayaan yung mga batang pumapasok na ngayon (While we are looking for long-term solutions, let us not forget the students who are going to their classes today),” Armin said.