Manila: The government's education agencies are now accelerating efforts to advance reforms within the sector through One Education, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, One Education, a unified brand and platform, was launched Friday under the trifocal education system involving the DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The initiative seeks to link reforms across basic education, higher education, and technical-vocational education, as well as workforce development.
In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that this linkage will provide easier pathways to opportunities for the Filipino youth. He highlighted that One Education serves as a reminder of the interconnected dreams for learners, stressing the need for clearer links from basic education to college, technical and vocational training, employment, businesses, and lifelong learning.
Under the One Education initiative, a more seamless and accessible education linkage is institutionalized between the three agencies. The agencies also introduced the flagship Education Reform Fellowship (ERF), which aims to recruit, train, and mentor young professionals and reform-oriented talents. Fellows will gain exposure to policy work, program implementation, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and inter-agency coordination across the education system.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis stated that the unified education system supports a 'simpler and smoother' transition to tertiary education. She emphasized that through One Education, learners' prior academic and technical achievements, whether from senior high school or tech-voc programs, are recognized and credited by higher education institutions, ensuring no effort is wasted as learners transition into the modern workforce.
TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez underscored the importance of One Education in equipping learners with necessary skills aligned with emerging global trends. He remarked that One Education aims to improve access to acquiring new skills, earning certifications, or pursuing further studies, providing routes to success for all learners, whether in TechVoc, Senior High, or College.
Benitez noted the changing demands in workplaces across various industries and highlighted TESDA's efforts in building seamless education pathways for Filipino learners over the past two years. He referenced TESDA's available opportunities for learners, regardless of their background.
Besides One Education, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Analytiks Inc. for the implementation of Project TAHANAN. This project will enhance the traceability and interoperability of learners through more seamless tracking across basic education, higher education, technical-vocational education, and workforce development pathways. The data-sharing of learners' information will aid in crafting improved policies, programs, and support mechanisms.
The One Education initiative was unveiled during the 3rd Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee Meeting, carrying the tagline "Maraming Landas, Isang Sistema. Para sa Bawat Pilipino." It supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to make learning pathways connected, relevant, and responsive to the needs of learners, communities, and the labor market.
