VP Sara seeks to finish review of senior high curriculum

Vice President Sara Duterte said she will carry out some tasks in the Department of Education even after she announced her resignation as secretary on June 19.

In Marisol Abdurahman’s 24 Oras exclusive report on Monday, Duterte said the DepEd has ongoing efforts and programs that her replacement can continue.

“Hindi pa tayo tapos sa review ng Grades 11-12 na curriculum so kailangan nating matapos yun. Kailangan nating i-address ang employability ng ating Grade 12 graduates,” Duterte said.

(The Education Department needs to finish reviewing the curriculums of Grades 11 and 12. The department also needs to address the employability of our Grade 12 graduates.)

“‘Yung pangarap natin na maging universal yung feedings, school-based feeding program,” the outgoing DepEd Secretary added. 

(Our dream for a universal school-based feeding program.)

The Vice President when she resigned gave one-month notice. Her resignation will take effect on July 19.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he respected his former political party member's decision to step down.

“We miss the closer interactions that we had during the campaign. but nonetheless, there's politics, and there's personal and we only wish the Vice President nothing but the best,” Romualdez said.

Duterte left the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in May 2023, citing politicking and supposed efforts to undermine her.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition said the next Education Secretary must have a background in education to ensure the DepEd “is spared from political bickering and being dragged into divisive political fighting.”

Duterte earlier said she remains on friendly terms on a personal level with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. following her resignation from his administration's Cabinet.

Although she did not give the exact reasons why she quit her posts, Duterte said her resignation was made in consideration of the department’s best interest and concern for teachers and students.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News