Private Schools Express Support for Sonny Angara’s DepEd Leadership
Private schools throughout the Philippines have shown strong support for Sonny Angara’s continued role as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd). This backing comes amid a wave of courtesy resignation requests from President Marcos to all Cabinet members. The private education sector has united in urging the retention of Angara, emphasizing the importance of stable leadership in education.
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), known as the voice of private education nationwide, led the call to keep Angara in his post. In an official statement on May 26, COCOPEA praised Angara’s deep dedication to education reform, fostering public-private collaboration, and using data-driven policymaking.
Advancing Education Through Public-Private Complementary Framework
COCOPEA highlighted Angara’s pivotal role in promoting the Public-Private Complementary Framework, a key initiative designed to tackle ongoing challenges within the Philippine education system. This framework encourages strategic partnerships between public and private schools to share responsibilities and resources.
“His leadership has been instrumental in advancing the Public-Private Complementary Framework, which aims to address longstanding challenges in the Philippine education system through strategic partnerships and shared responsibilities,” COCOPEA said.
Under Angara’s direction, a three-year action plan for public-private complementarity was developed, alongside programs aimed at improving learning outcomes for Filipino students in all sectors. The council also noted that his approach has strengthened ties between DepEd and private educational institutions, laying a foundation for systematic reforms.
Continuity in Education Leadership is Crucial
COCOPEA urged President Marcos to retain Angara to preserve stability and maintain momentum in ongoing reforms. The group emphasized that consistent leadership is vital for sustaining collaboration between public and private education sectors, ultimately benefiting the country’s learners.
“Continuity in leadership is crucial to maintaining the momentum of reforms and ensuring that the collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors continue to thrive for the benefit of the nation’s educational landscape,” the council stated.
Sonny Angara’s Proven Commitment to Education Advocacy
Before his appointment as DepEd Secretary in July 2024, following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte, Angara was well-known for his longstanding advocacy in education. As a legislator, he supported laws that expanded scholarships, improved teacher training, and increased funding for public education.
During his 10-month tenure, Angara pursued a 5-Point Agenda targeting persistent and emerging challenges in basic education. This agenda focused on fostering a supportive learning environment, protecting teacher welfare, enhancing learning methods, and equipping students with skills for a future-ready workforce.
In a statement dated May 22, Angara confirmed he had submitted his courtesy resignation and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He described his role as Education Secretary as “the greatest honor” of his public service life.
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