Back to school for 27.2 million students; DepEd vows improvements

MANILA, Philippines – Around 27.2 million students were welcomed back to school by  Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday as school year 2019-2020 kicked off nationwide.

“On behalf of the Department of Education (DepEd), I am honored and pleased to welcome our almost 27.2 million learners from all over the country to the opening of School Year 2019-2020!” Briones said in a statement.

The education secretary and other DepEd officials welcomed the new school year Monday morning at the Signal Village National High School in Taguig City.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones (center), Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (left) and other education officials grace the opening of school year 2019-2020 at Signal Village National High School on Monday, June 3, 2019.   Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net

“It takes a community…”

Briones reminded the students that “it took the whole community—parents, teachers, local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations, partners from the public and private sectors, and other stakeholders—to prepare you on this journey.”

Briones likewise mentioned that the department “gathered allies” to provide students access “to fairly priced commodities, safer streets and roads, and adequate water and electricity supply,” among others.

Quality education

Briones further said that DepEd is increasing its efforts to deliver “quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education” given the continuous increase in student population and the challenges the department has to face.

“As we pivot from access to quality, we are continuously reviewing our curriculum and developing our learning resources, including our teachers, through the transformation of our National Educators Academy of the Philippines,” she said.

Sturdy, safe schools

“We are also continuously upgrading our facilities by improving their resistance to typhoons and earthquakes,” she added.

Briones also encouraged those “who believes in the cause of education” to “work together and join us in responding to the increasing development requirements of our country, and in creating a better world for the Filipino learners whom we are all sworn to serve.”  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)