Marcos thanks Sara Duterte for leading DepEd, lauds BER 2024

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday lauded Vice President Sara Duterte for her leadership of the Department of Education (DepEd) as he recognized the agency's Basic Education Report (BER) 2024 as a compelling submission.

"I'm happy to note that this report, the Basic Education Report, is candid, clear, comprehensive, and I think you will agree, quite compelling. So certainly, the milestones achieved so far deserve our congratulations," Marcos said in his speech following Duterte's presentation of the BER 2024 in Pasay City.

"Daghang Salamat (Thank you very much), Vice President Inday Sara [for] your stewardship for the biggest agency with the largest constituency and I would say the most difficult mandate," the President added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the BER 2024 aims to present the accomplishments of the DepEd under the MATATAG Agenda, as well as the plans and initiatives to deliver quality, accessible, equitable and inclusive basic education for all Filipino learners.  

Marcos also lauded the agency's pilot testing of the K-10 curriculum in 35 schools across the country.

"We are decongesting the curriculum, with a focus on the development of foundational skills. I'm happy that the DepEd is piloting a new K to 10 curriculum in 35 schools across the region," the President said.

The DepEd earlier said the phased implementation of the MATATAG K-10 curriculum would begin in School Year (SY) 2024-2025 through to SY 2027-2028.

Among the features of the recalibrated curriculum is the reduction in the number of subjects, with greater emphasis given on the development of Kinder to Grade 3 learners' foundational skills—such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills.

Meanwhile, Marcos tasked the DepEd to continue with the transformational journey of the education sector, and ensure that no one gets left behind.

"As your report has shown, the building blocks of a modern, responsive educational system have now been laid. It is something we have waited for—, for many, many, many years. At this juncture in our transformational journey, my instruction is simply this: Padayon! Padayon! Padayon!," Marcos said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News