Teachers’ Group Urges Next DepEd Chief to Have Education Sector Background

Following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition has voiced the importance of appointing a new DepEd secretary with a strong education background.

In a recent statement, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition called on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to select a candidate with expertise in education to prevent political conflicts within the department.

“We urge the President to appoint a non-political figure as the next DepEd secretary to safeguard the department from political disputes and avoid being entangled in divisive political issues,” the statement emphasized.

The coalition emphasized the necessity for the incoming secretary to have firsthand experience in public school teaching or a background in the education sector. This, they believe, will enable the new secretary to comprehend and address the daily challenges faced by teachers and students effectively.

“We hope for a secretary from the academic realm or with direct public school teaching experience. It is crucial for the individual to have a deep understanding of the realities teachers and students encounter daily, embodying the true spirit of a teacher,” the statement further stated.

Regarding Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation, political science professor Abvic Ryan Maghirang shared his insights, suggesting that personal reasons rather than political motivations may have influenced her decision.

“It’s not politically driven, but more on a personal level. When your family continues to face criticisms, it becomes a matter of delicadeza as well,” Maghirang commented.

Maghirang cautioned against prematurely interpreting Duterte’s resignation as a shift towards opposition, describing her current approach as maintaining a “silent treatment.”

Reflecting on past instances, Maghirang highlighted that vice presidents resigning from cabinet positions is not unprecedented, citing former Vice President Leni Robredo’s resignation as Housing Czar during the Duterte administration.

Senator Imee Marcos, a close associate of Duterte, expressed unawareness of the Vice President’s reasons for resignation and mentioned not having spoken to her about the matter yet, as of the current update.