The Department of Education has strengthened its partnerships with church and civil society groups to reach underserved learners affected by poverty, mobility and weak school retention.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said education reform, much like pastoral work, requires sustained presence in communities and close attention to the daily realities of learners and teachers, particularly in underserved areas.

Angara pointed to DepEd’s collaboration with Caritas Philippines, which has a nationwide network of 86 diocesan social action centers, to help extend the reach of key programs such as school-based feeding, learning recovery and the Alternative Learning System, especially for out-of-school youth and other marginalized learners.

“We take our inspiration from all of you. Your stories and successes drive us towards meaningful reforms,” Angara said during his speech at the 42nd National Social Action General Assembly of Caritas Philippines in Tagaytay City on 3 February 2026.

He said partnerships with faith-based and community organizations help government programs respond more effectively to realities on the ground, including hunger that affects learning and the need for flexible pathways for learners returning to school.

Angara cited the expanded School-Based Feeding Program, now covering all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide, as an example of DepEd’s response to evidence linking nutrition and learning outcomes.

He also underscored the scale-up of learning recovery efforts through the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program, which provides structured tutoring and remediation for millions of learners. Angara said church- and community-based groups can complement these initiatives through volunteer tutoring, mentoring and local learning activities, particularly in areas with limited access to formal support.

The DepEd chief further highlighted the Alternative Learning System as a key entry point for out-of-school youth, working adults and other marginalized learners seeking a second chance at basic education. He acknowledged the role of church-led initiatives, including community-based learning centers, in helping learners return to school through flexible and trust-based approaches.

Supporting teachers remains central to DepEd’s reform agenda, Angara said, citing recent efforts to reduce administrative requirements, expand welfare support and promote thousands of teachers nationwide.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, along with church leaders and civil society representatives from across the country, also attended the gathering, which focused on strengthening partnerships to improve service delivery across social sectors.

Angara also thanked the Society of Jesus Educational Apostolate for supporting the Second Congressional Commission on Education, or EDCOM 2, and its reform agenda.

He said the Jesuit network’s endorsement of the commission’s findings helped build momentum for major policy shifts in the education sector.