A real ‘Matatag’ curriculum

Inday Sara Duterte’s recent declaration that she is “seriously considering” running for president in 2028 borders on comedy but, sadly, the implications are no laughing matter. Her track record at the Department of Education (DepEd) speaks volumes about her lack of vision and leadership — qualities critical for anyone aspiring to lead the country. If she could not deliver meaningful reform in education, how can she credibly promise competent leadership on a national scale?

The Matatag Curriculum, heavily promoted as a transformative solution to the educational crisis, turned out to be a triumph of propaganda over policy. Its slogan, “MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa,” epitomized her administration’s focus on optics instead of substance. What should have been a comprehensive, evidence-based framework was reduced to clichés that failed to address the pressing needs of the education sector.

Let’s not forget the most glaring symbol of this failure — the “Isang Kaibigan” children’s book scandal. A blatant case of plagiarism of Andy Runton’s Owly series that can very well serve as Exhibit A for “Plagiarism for Dummies.”

Beyond the ethical issue, the controversy underscored a larger problem: the normalization of mediocrity and intellectual dishonesty in DepEd’s initiatives under Sara’s leadership. Even the idea of using comics as tools for indoctrination was a recycled gimmick from past administrations, such as TESDA’s flawed implementation under the late Buboy Syjuco. Perhaps social media is right in tagging Inday Sara as SWOH — Sara Without an H. H for Honesty.

But beyond these issues, the core failure of the Matatag Curriculum lay in its irrelevance to the demands of the 21st century. While global economies are gearing up for advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and cybersecurity, the curriculum remained anchored on traditional subjects with minimal integration of digital literacy, coding, or future-proof skills. For a nation whose labor force is its greatest asset, this stagnation is both a wasted opportunity and a glaring indictment of Sara’s misplaced priorities.

If workforce development were truly the objective, we should take a serious look at educational initiatives like the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CETAP emphasizes foundational cybersecurity awareness, career exploration, and skills development, particularly for K-12 students. Designed to be scalable and adaptable, it aligns education with global workforce trends and national security priorities — something the Matatag Curriculum failed to do. This is the program that we should be adopting.

Then there’s Sara Duterte’s other flawed proposition: the revival of mandatory ROTC. This program, previously marred by corruption and abuse, is a relic of the past that offers no tangible value in today’s context. Its most infamous legacy is the tragic murder of Mark Welson Chua, a grim reminder of the widespread rot it perpetuated.

Modern threats require modern solutions. The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict illustrates how wars are no longer fought solely with soldiers but with drones, cyberattacks, and advanced technologies. In fact, Polish officials have declared that their nation is in a de facto cyberwar with Russia, facing relentless attacks on critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Duterte and her allies are fixated on ROTC — a program ill-suited to addressing these realities.

Instead of ROTC, we should adopt models like the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service by CISA, which trains students in cybersecurity — a field critical to both national security and economic growth. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, and skills in this domain are highly exportable, enabling our workforce to compete in international markets.

Unlike ROTC, cybersecurity education fosters innovation, encourages entrepreneurship, and directly contributes to economic development.

President Marcos Jr., in his address to the 77th UN General Assembly, emphasized the importance of preparing for the displacement of human labor caused by technological advancements. This should have been Sara’s clue. Yet the education initiatives under her betrayed a complete disconnect from this forward-looking vision. The focus remained on outdated programs that failed to equip our youth for the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.

The Matatag Curriculum, much like its architect, represents an era of leadership that is blind to accountability and to the demands of the future. If we are to secure a competitive edge for our nation and protect the aspirations of the next generation, we must reject half-measures and empty slogans. Instead, we must pursue meaningful, forward-thinking reforms like CETAP and the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service — initiatives that prioritize innovation, relevance, and resilience.

Our youth deserve nothing less than an education system that prepares them to lead, not just follow, in the digital age.