BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s agenda to strengthen education amid challenging circumstances, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) convened the first-ever Joint National Management Committee (ManCom) meeting. The gathering underscored a whole-of-government approach to forging better linkages and tackling learning losses as well as other pressing issues across all levels of the education sector.

“Historic in its nature ang meeting na ito dahil, for the first time, nagsama-sama ang tatlong pangunahing ahensiya ng edukasyon sa bansa upang matiyak na ang ating learning delivery ay handang tumugon sa hamon ng mga kalamidad,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

After conducting a whole-of-government relief operations in earthquake-hit Bogo City, Cebu, Sec. Angara went straight to the Joint ManCom, where he joined CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, and EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee. Together, they convened top officials from the three education agencies to tackle urgent concerns affecting all levels of the curriculum.

TESDA Sec. Benitez also led a moment of silence for affected Filipinos—especially learners—in the aftermath of recent disasters, emphasizing that “it is after all [important to be a] resilient nation, particularly when it comes to human development that we are all gathered here today.”

During the plenary session, agency heads and officials focused on addressing urgent issues, strengthening public-private collaboration, and ensuring the employability of graduates across education levels.

The Joint ManCom also convened around 15 industry partners who underscored how closer collaboration between government and the private sector can better prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving demands of the workforce.

Some partners shared that they had already forged collaborations with public schools to provide upskilling opportunities for learners in their chosen career paths, and inquired how these initiatives could be aligned as structured career runways.

The Joint ManCom also paved the way for landmark agreements aimed at enhancing the quality and competitiveness of Filipino learners.

DepEd, CHED, and TESDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on data sharing, while TESDA and DepEd entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen the implementation of Tech-Voc under the enhanced Senior High School program.

The agencies likewise reviewed the challenges and opportunities in the Senior High School Technical-Vocational Track, its linkages with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Tertiary Education Subsidy, as well as ways to expand access through inclusive education programs. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the Philippine Qualifications Framework, a key reform that harmonizes education standards nationwide.

“This is really a milestone for our country and for our trifocalized education system. This is the time that we will be together with our team for a common goal towards quality education and address the problem and concerns on the ground,” CHED Chairperson Agrupis said.

*All Photos from DepEd