MANILA, Philippines – Vice President-elect Sara Duterte revealed that President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had instructed a review of the K-12 program.

VP Sara Duterte reveals her plans as incoming education chief
VP Sara Duterte reveals her plans as incoming education chief | Photo Courtesy: PCOO

Duterte, who took her oath of office on June 19 as the 15th vice president of the Republic of the Philippines and the incoming Education Secretary, said that the issue of whether to scrap or improve the implementation of the K-12 program would take time. However, she assured that she and Marcos had already discussed the program.

“That is something na kailangan pag-usapan, na it cannot be decided overnight… but initially it is something na napagusapan din namin ni President Marcos and he already gave instructions with regard to the review of the implementation of K-12 program of the Department of Education,” Duterte said.

The K-12 program has been an issue of controversy since it was implemented in 2013. It aims to improve Filipino students’ competence but many parents complain that it’s an additional burden.

Duterte said she would focus on three important issues in the education sector: the K-12 program, resumption of face-to-face classes, and challenges of learners due to the pandemic.

The VP said any decision they make would have to be consulted with important stakeholders in the private sector. Duterte said that cooperating with the private sector had been an important key in the success of Davao City when she was a mayor.

“Yes of course, ang success ng city government of Davao is precisely that we’ve partner with the private sector, we consult the private sector, we consult the stakeholders kung ano ‘yung mga suggestions nila na puwedeng mai-adopt ng city government ng Davao so I will take that klase ng pagtratrabaho doon sa Department of Education,” Duterte said.

Asked if the Marcos administration will also focus on increasing the salary of teachers, Duterte said she plans to follow her father’s plans. She said they would continue to push for the welfare of the teachers.

“Actually the Duterte administration did something about that so we will dovetail from what the Duterte administration did for the welfare and benefits of teachers. So, titingnan natin paano natin mapush ‘yun kung ano ‘yung mga accomplishments galing sa administration ni PRD,” she added.

As the incoming education chief, Duterte said she wants to raise a generation of patriotic Filipinos.

“It was decided that I would work on producing skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential as Filipinos. Our country needs a future generation of patriotic Filipinos to advocate peace and discipline in their respective communities,” Duterte said.

— Sally, The Summit Express