DepEd urges whole-of-government approach to solve learning crisis

The Department of Education (DepEd) called for a whole-of-government approach to address the country’s learning crisis.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the recommendations of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) underscore that while DepEd has begun implementing major reforms, many of the most critical changes require coordinated action from other government agencies, Congress, local governments, and the private sector.

“The learning crisis is not a DepEd problem alone. The roadmap is clear, but delivery will depend on how well the entire government moves together,” said Angara after his agency formally received the EDCOM 2 Final Report and turned over the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Thursday.

"We are ready to work closely with Congress and all our partners to ensure that these reforms are felt in our schools and by our teachers and learners," the DepEd chief added.

DepEd said findings reinforce the urgency of strengthening early childhood care and development, particularly nutrition interventions for children aged 0 to 5, which it noted cannot be addressed by the education sector alone.

The Education department pointed to the need for stronger coordination and clearer accountability among agencies involved in early childhood nutrition and care, including the National Nutrition Council and the Departments of Health, Social Welfare and Development, and Interior and Local Government.

The agency also echoed the report’s emphasis on sustained national and local funding to support the conversion of daycare centers into child development centers, a function largely carried out by local government units with national government support.

DepEd also highlighted persistent gaps between education and employment outcomes, underscoring the need for closer alignment with the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Professional Regulation Commission, particularly in Senior High School, technical-vocational pathways, and teacher education and licensure.

The agency cited the report’s support for establishing a unified labor market information system involving the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, and TESDA, as well as fully operationalizing enterprise-based training and industry-led upskilling programs.

Angara said carrying out the reforms will also depend on Congress updating several key education laws, including rules on how local governments use education funds, expanding the Adopt-a-School program so more private groups can support learning programs, and modernizing teacher licensing to ensure quality training and hiring.

The agency also flagged the need to adjust laws governing school division management and teacher deployment, and to fully enforce existing measures that link education with jobs and skills training, so students move more smoothly from school to work.

The report likewise calls on Congress and the Department of Budget and Management to support staffing reforms across DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, noting that expanded mandates under K to 12, free higher education, and TVET reforms have outpaced existing human resource structures.

The Education department also cited the report’s call to strengthen inter-agency coordination, including reinforcing the Education and Workforce Development Group as a platform for joint planning, aligned budgets, and shared accountability.

Angara said DepEd is ready to play its part but emphasized that sustained reform will require institutional discipline across government and across multiple administrations.