Private educators pledge collaboration with Angara

MANILA, Philippines — Private schools under the Coordinating Council of Private Education Association (COCOPEA) expressed their support yesterday for new Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

In an open letter addressed to Angara, the group said it is “excited” to work with the Department of Education (DepEd) under Angara’s leadership in addressing the country’s educational needs.

“Under your leadership, we are excited to engage in constructive dialogue… We aim to address our country’s educational needs, focusing on quality, public-private collaboration, access and expanding government assistance and subsidies. We firmly believe that your leadership will bring about meaningful reforms that will address the pressing challenges,” COCOPEA said.

The COCOPEA is composed of five national educational associations – the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities, Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities and the Unified Technical and Vocational Education and Training of the Philippines.

“We are ready to share our collective expertise and resources as we work together in the spirit of an all-of-society approach. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and are eager to support your endeavors to enhance the quality of education in the Philippines,” the letter read.

On his first day at the helm of DepEd, Angara convened the agency’s top officials under the executive committee (execom) yesterday to discuss preparations for the upcoming school year 2024-2025.

In a short statement with photos of the meeting, DepEd said also discussed were “policies and orders that need immediate action.”

Photos showed that more than 15 DepEd officials were present during the meeting held at the Office of the Secretary (OSEC) at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City. Among those present was Assistant Secretary for operations Francis Cesar Bringas.

At least five ranking officials of the DepEd, including undersecretary and chief-of-staff Michael Poa, have tendered their resignation ahead of Angara’s takeover of the agency from its former secretary,