Dwayne Pelagio

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara appeals to the private sector for support to solve the agency’s critical shortages as he nears 100 days in office.

Photo Courtesy of Outreach International/Rappler.

The former senator said in a speech before the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on Oct. 16 that the private sector has always been an accountability partner and they help programs continue.

"Time and time again, you have believed that DepEd is not one giant island. This system is only as good as the bridges that we build together,” Angara stated.

The former lawmaker added that DepEd may be the largest, but with partners like the private sector, they’re certainly not the loneliest.

The DepEd chief also mentioned in his speech that the department has already low red urgent tags as they reach 100 days.

Angara stated in his speech that his team had prioritized the basics: making the curriculum flexible, gearing up early for international assessments, raising teachers' allowances and benefits, among others.

"As for our resources, we don’t aim for abundance. We just want them on time," Angara said in terms of the agency’s resources.

Angara appealed to the private sector to help deliver two million laptops to students in rural areas, power about 2,001 schools that lack electricity, and build school facilities for 8,000 Last Mile Schools in far-flung areas. 

Deped Director for Information and Communication Technology Fernando Pitagan said during the House hearing on the agency’s 2025 proposed budget that the student-to-computer ratio is 1:9.

He also requested assistance for the 300,000 differently-abled students awaiting proper diagnosis and supervision.

The Department of Education has partnered with Khan Academy, Frontlearners and iamtheCODE to improve its learning management systems and curriculum - Jollibee, Rebisco, and Milo for its sports programs while it continuously receives support from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and UNICEF.