'One Education' launched to streamline learner pathways from school to employment

The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday launched One Education, a joint initiative aimed at creating more seamless pathways from basic education to higher education, technical-vocational training, and employment.

Launched during the 3rd Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee Meeting in Baler, Aurora, One Education carries the tagline “Maraming Landas, Isang Sistema. Para sa Bawat Pilipino.” It serves as the unified brand and strategic communication platform of the country’s trifocal education system.

According to the three agencies, the initiative seeks to help learners, families, schools, training institutions, employers, and other stakeholders better understand how opportunities across DepEd, CHED, and TESDA are connected.

The agencies said the program supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the country’s education system by making learning pathways more integrated and responsive to the needs of learners and the labor market.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative reflects the agencies’ shared responsibility to simplify education pathways.

“Ang One Education ay paalala na hindi magkakahiwalay ang pangarap ng ating mga learner. Kailangang mas malinaw ang tulay mula basic education papunta sa kolehiyo, technical-vocational training, trabaho, negosyo, at lifelong learning. Kapag mas magkakaugnay ang sistema, mas madali para sa bawat Pilipino na makita kung saan siya puwedeng magsimula, umusad, at magtagumpay," he said.

(One Education is a reminder that our learners’ dreams are not separate. We need a clearer bridge from basic education to college, technical-vocational training, employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. When the system is more connected, it becomes easier for every Filipino to see where they can begin, move forward, and succeed.)

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the initiative would help ensure that academic and technical achievements earned in senior high school and technical-vocational programs are recognized by higher education institutions, allowing students to transition more smoothly to college.

TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, meanwhile, said a unified education system is necessary as workplace demands continue to evolve.

“Ibang iba na ang demands sa trabaho ngayon kumpara noon. Kaya ang edukasyon, dapat sumasabay din sa panahon," he said.

(The demands of work today are very different from before. That is why education must also keep pace with the times.)

He added that One Education aims to improve access to skills training, certifications, and further studies, regardless of a learner’s background.

During the launch, the three agencies also introduced the Education Reform Fellowship (ERF), which will recruit and mentor young professionals who will help implement education and workforce development reforms.

They also signed a memorandum of agreement with Analytiks Inc. for Project TAHANAN, an initiative that aims to improve learner tracking and enable secure data sharing across basic education, higher education, technical-vocational education, and workforce development sectors to support policy-making and learner services. —VBL, GMA News