Days after taking over the helm of the Department of Education (Deped), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. challenged Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara to implement the national learning recovery program without delay.

The Chief Executive lamented the low proficiency levels of students in information literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

“Our national learning recovery program must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education,” President Marcos said in his third State of the National Address on Monday.

“Our system of education must be strategically calibrated to make sure that our youth are not only taught to become literate. But, it must also consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers — hungry for success, ready for the future,” he added.

President Marcos likewise emphasized the need to equally give attention to addressing classroom and digital gaps and embark on educational reform through technology.

“Digitalization and solar-powered electricity must now become the standard features in our schools and in our classrooms,” he said.

He also said that production of instructional materials, especially textbooks must be up-to-date and error-free. He added that the process of producing one must be cut short from its present three years to just one year.

“Ito ngayon ang magiging hamon sa ating bagong Kalihim: na tiyakin ang pagbangon at pagtaas ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa, sa lalong madaling panahon.,” the President said.

The Chief Executive also acknowledged the role of teachers, referring to them as the core foundation of the educational system.

“As we build and upgrade schools, so too must we uplift and upskill our teachers, whose competence and trademark Filipino patience, determination, and compassion will be at the core of our national learning recovery,” he said. |PND