Aquino wants education system reforms within 3 years

Senator Bam Aquino stressed the need for collective effort to uplift Philippine education, stressing that reforms must be carried out effectively in the next three years. 

His remarks came following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where education was placed at the forefront of the administration’s agenda.

During a Senate plenary on July 30, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Aquino if his positive response to the President’s education agenda meant he now supports the Marcos administration. 

“Para sa edukasyon, lahat po tayo kailangan magtulungan,” Aquino clarifies.

Marcos, DepEd commits 40,000 more classrooms

Aquino also said he was “pleasantly surprised” that the President devoted significant attention to education in his fourth SONA. 

Marcos vowed to build 40,000 classrooms before his term ends, supplementing the nearly 22,000 already constructed in the past three years.

“Sa tatlong taon, halos dalawampu’t dalawang libong silid-aralan ang nabuksan na. Hihigitan pa natin ito, dahil talagang nakakaawa na ang ating mga mag-aaral,” Marcos said, adding that the program will be done in partnership with the private sector to ensure enough funding and faster construction.

The commitment aligns with the Department of Education’s newly launched Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP) 2025–2035, a 10-year roadmap designed to overhaul the country’s basic education system. 

“Kaya sabi niya (Pangulong Marcos), lahat ng guro natin magkakaroon ng laptop, makakatayo tayo ng 40,000 classrooms kasi mas malaki ang budget na ibibigay kapag sama-sama ang gobyerno, kasama ang pribadong sektor, kasama ang development partners,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized.

Advocates have long warned that without adequate infrastructure and resources, reforms in curriculum and teaching would remain ineffective.

With both the classroom construction drive and the QBEDP now underway, education leaders see a window of opportunity to ease overcrowding, reduce learning loss, and create a stronger foundation for long-term academic success.

Overseeing promised reforms

Aquino, who recently assumed the chairmanship of the Senate committee on basic education, assured that the chamber will closely monitor the fulfillment of these pledges. 

He pointed out that education challenges cannot be solved overnight, but progress can be achieved with proper coordination.

“With the budget increase and the President’s pronouncement during the SONA, I’m sure we will find a way to find the funding para magkaroon ng successful implementation ang mga education reforms natin,” he said.

Support among teachers, students

In an interview on July 28, Aquino pledged to ensure that commitments, from classrooms to teacher support and digital connectivity, are carried out. 

“Sisiguraduhin natin na yung mga repormang ito, masasagawa at babantayan natin yung mga pangakong ito,” he said.

The senator also noted that close coordination between the Senate and the administration is essential for the common good of all the students in the country.