MANILA, Philippines – Umapela ang Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) nitong Lunes, Hunyo 24 kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na pumili ng “non-political” figure bilang susunod na kalihim ng Department of Education upang maiiwas ang ahensya sa “political bickering.”
“We call on our president to ensure that the next DepEd secretary is not a politician or actively involved in partisan politics. This is to ensure that DepEd is spared from political bickering and being dragged into divisive political fighting,” saad sa pahayag ni TDC chairperson Benjo Basas.
Ang panawagang ito ay matapos ang pagbibitiw ni Vice President Sara Duterte bilang DepEd chief noong nakaraang linggo nang walang dahilan.
Mayroon pang halos isang buwan si Marcos para mamili ng papalit kay Duterte na ang resignation ay iiral sa Hulyo 19, 2024.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Senador Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, na dapat ay si Senador Sonny Angara ang susunod na DepEd chief.
Sa kabila nito, sinabi ng TDC na ang bagong Education secretary ay dapat na may educational advancement “rather than political agenda.”
“Aside from this, the next secretary should be an excellent manager since that person will be managing the largest bureaucracy in the country. This individual will oversee the department with the most personnel, the most geographically dispersed operations, and the greatest resources,” ani Basas.
Iginiit niya ang kahalagahan ng pagtatalaga ng kalihim na mula sa academe o mayroong karanasan sa pagiging isang guro.
“We hope that the next secretary comes from the academe, or at the very least, has experience teaching in a public school. It is essential that this person have firsthand experience with the daily challenges faced by teachers and students,” sinabi pa ni Basas.
“Most importantly, the new secretary must take proactive steps and actively advocate for the enactment of pending bills aimed at significantly increasing teachers’ salaries,” dagdag pa nito. RNT/JGC
