President Bongbong Marcos said he will dedicate the remainder of his term to fixing long-standing problems in the country’s education system, calling the state of learning outcomes unacceptable and in need of urgent action.
Speaking at an education-related event, Marcos openly questioned how current conditions were allowed to persist. “How have we allowed this?” he said, referring to persistent learning gaps, weak basic skills, and challenges affecting Filipino students despite years of reforms and spending. He made clear that addressing these issues will now be a central focus of his administration.
“I have pledged for the remainder of this Administration, we will prioritize, first priority will be education,” Marcos said. He stressed that education is not simply another sector but the foundation of national development. According to the President, poor learning outcomes limit opportunities for young Filipinos and weaken the country’s long-term growth.
Marcos pointed to ongoing efforts within the DepEd aimed at improving basic learning, particularly reading, comprehension, and numeracy. He said reforms must focus on classroom conditions, teacher support, and programs that help students recover from learning loss. “We have the opportunity to correct at least part of those problems to help our students learn in a better environment,” he said.
The President emphasized that fixing education requires sustained attention and consistent execution. He said government agencies are being directed to align their work toward improving learning quality and ensuring that public funds translate into real improvements for students and teachers.
While acknowledging that progress will take time, Marcos said the remaining years of his administration will be centered on education reform. He framed the effort as an investment in the country’s future, saying every improvement in learning strengthens the nation as a whole and expands opportunities for the next generation.
