DepEd boosts church, civil society partnerships

As it pushes learner-centered education reforms, the Department of Education (DepEd) is deepening collaboration with the Church and civil society groups to extend education services to underserved and out-of-school learners, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Tuesday.

Speaking at the 42nd National Social Action General Assembly of Caritas Philippines in Tagaytay City, Angara said education reform, 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’ nationwide network of 86 diocesan social action centers, which he said helps extend the reach of key programs, including school-based feeding, learning recovery, and the Alternative Learning System, particularly 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, adding that partnerships allow government programs to respond to conditions on the ground, from hunger that affects learning to the need for flexible pathways back to school.

He cited the expanded School-Based Feeding Program, now covering all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide, as an example of how DepEd is responding to evidence linking nutrition and learning outcomes.

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

The education 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 church-led initiatives, including community-based learning centers, that help learners return to education through flexible and trust-based approaches.

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 cross-sector partnerships to improve service delivery.

Angara also thanked the Society of Jesus Educational Apostolate for supporting the Second Congressional Commission on Education and its reform agenda. He said the Jesuit network’s endorsement of the commission’s findings helped build momentum for major policy shifts in education.

He added that the long-standing work of Jesuit schools and other faith-based institutions in communities makes them vital partners in translating national reforms into concrete gains for learners, particularly those most at risk of dropping out or being left behind. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News