Marcos needs more time to choose DepEd chief

MANILA, Philippines — Picking the next education secretary was harder than he thought, President Marcos said yesterday, so he is giving himself more time to find the “right person” for the job vacated last week by his Vice President.

“It turns out, it’s harder than I thought because we have to absolutely get it right. So, I’m giving myself more time,” the President told reporters after attending an event in Makati City on Saturday.

“As I told you before, we have to see really what the DepEd (Department of Education) needs,” he said.

Marcos explained the next DepEd chief should be able to “manage the agency properly” and help “bring up the test scores” of students in the country.

“In other words, yes, I am having a hard time choosing because the work of the DepEd chief is very complicated,” the President said.

Marcos on Thursday said he would name the replacement of Vice President and former education secretary Sara Duterte by the end of the week.

Asked whether he already had a shortlist, Marcos said, “I’m not going to let you tie me down to anything. We are looking at everyone.”

Sen. Sonny Angara is reportedly being eyed as possible replacement of Duterte.

“I know people myself who I think can do the job,” he said.

The Chief Executive said he received several recommendations for the position, including an educator, an administrator and a history professor.

“And I’ve gone through so many CVs, we have a lot of competent people,” the President said.

“Many people come to me and say why don’t you think about this fellow, why don’t you think about this – the maestra. Why don’t you… So, we look at them all,” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive said the next DepEd secretary should be someone who “understands the bureaucracy, and how to use the budget properly.”

Furthermore, he or she should be someone who can steer the country to higher test scores, according to Marcos.

“What we always look at is our test scores. We have to bring up the test scores. You all know that. So, you need an educator who understands how to help the students, how to help the teachers,” he said.

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