PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte approved measures creating more teaching positions in the public school system and to reform the current curriculum.

In a Palace statement Thursday, Mr. Duterte approved the recommendations of Education Secretary Leonor G. Briones during the Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

“Moving forward, quality basic education is imperative. Thus, the President approved DepEd’s recommendation to improve the curriculum for students who want to pursue education, create more plantilla positions for teachers, produce a communication plan on quality education, and harness the use of technology to educate more students, educators and leaders,” the President’s Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said.

Adding more teaching positions is one of the primary programs under DepEd’s proposed 2020 National Budget of P551.7 billion, with around P1.2 billion allocated to hire 10,000 teachers next year. The education department also said it is currently studying expanding the first three Teacher ranks for public school teachers in order to provide an encouraging career path for teachers featuring regular promotions.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Computerization Program also aims to provide more information and communication technology (ICT) to public schools in order to improve teaching quality.

The DepEd added that curriculum reform is urgent in light of the years-long decline in the passing rate in the National Achievement Tests (NAT). — Gillian M. Cortez

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