Marcos wants review of K to 12 program, says Sara Duterte

President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has instructed for a review on the implementation of the K to 12 program, according to Vice President-elect and incoming Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Davao City, Duterte said this matter should be discussed thoroughly. 

"That is something na kailangan pag-usapan, na it cannot be decided overnight... but initially it is something na napagusapan din namin ni President Marcos and he already give instructions with regard to the review of the implementation of K-12 program of the Department of Education," Duterte said.

(That's something that needs to be discussed. It is something that President Marcos and I have discussed.)

Duterte earlier said she would look into three issues as Education chief including the effects of the pandemic on learners, the full implementation of face-to-face classes, and a thorough discussion on the K to 12 program.

Some Filipinos have already expressed their desires for the direction Duterte will take as the next DepEd Secretary. Some said the K to 12 program should be stopped.

Duterte said she is willing to have dialogues and consultations with teachers and parents' groups to tackle the country's education system.

"Yes of course, ang success ng city government of Davao is precisely that we've partner with the private sector, we consult the private sector, we consult the stakeholders kung ano 'yung mga suggestions nila na puwedeng mai-adopt ng city government ng Davao so I will take that klase ng pagtratrabaho doon sa Department of Education," Duterte said.

(The success of the city government of Davao lies with the consultations with private sectors and stakeholders. We consult them about their suggestions that can be adopted in the city government of Davao so I will take that kind of work ethics in the Department of Education.)

Asked about increasing the salary of teachers, Duterte said she would continue the programs of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, on the benefits of the  teaching personnel.

"Actually the Duterte administration did something about that so we will dovetail from what the Duterte administration did for the welfare and benefits of teachers," Duterte said.

"So, titingnan natin paano natin mapush 'yun kung ano 'yung mga accomplishments galing sa administration ni PRD," she added.

(We will look into how the accomplishments from the Duterte administration will be continued.) 

In a separate press conference, Marcos said he does not want to preempt Duterte on the matter.

He also said he told Duterte to focus on training teachers and start teaching in English.

"I'm very confident na pag may program in place, hindi lang sa benefits but also in terms of other support in terms retraining, supplies, equipment," Marcos said.— RSJ, GMA News