The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) welcomes the formation of the Cabinet Education Cluster as announced in Malacañang yesterday. The cluster, which will be composed of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), will be tasked with coordinating the government’s programs in the education sector. Its primary objective is to ensure coherence from kindergarten to college.

According to TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas, “This has long been recognized as a problem in the Philippine education system, where programs, efforts, operation, and even orientation seem disconnected. One manifestation of this is the varying school calendars, with tertiary institutions having their own dates for the school year, while private schools in basic education can also deviate from the DepEd’s mandate.”

Basas added that a coordinated approach from daycare centers to pre-employment program after college must be ensured.

The TDC also suggested including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the cluster, as it is the main agency responsible for implementing the government’s early childhood care and development programs.

The TDC expressed its readiness to cooperate with government agencies if needed, providing information, sentiments, and opinions that may be relevant to the cluster’s role.

“But we hope this cluster recognizes the value of teachers’ welfare in the overall efforts of the government. This might end up like previous programs that, while well-intentioned, overlook the welfare of teachers,” Basas ended.

For details:
Benjo Basas, National Chairperson
09273356375