Briones stresses need for continuous assessment

PASIG CITY – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones highlighted the importance of continuous assessment of education initiatives to ensure that these remain relevant and responsive to various challenges in education.

Briones said this during the Third Strategic Dialogue for Education Ministers at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council Conference on July 25, 2017 in Jakarta Indonesia, where she discussed the regional initiatives that can be undertaken to better achieve the SEAMEO Education Agenda and further contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

In her presentation, Briones mentioned that possible significant outputs can be achieved through sharing of successful efforts in advancing the educational system among the SEAMEO member countries.

“In the case of the Philippines, I am especially interested in the initiatives of other countries in four areas specifically identified by the President to be enhance in our curriculum—drugs, reproductive health, climate change, and Alternative Learning System (ALS),” the education secretary said.

Briones also said that achieving peace is a key requirement in achieving SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

“Governments will be more effective if they have strong legal framework for accessible quality education for all, which must be backed by adequate financing,” Briones added.

Thus, she underscored the role of government in this development goal as changing environments and situations are also contributing to the problems identified.

“Governments must formulate innovative responses to address emerging and country-specific challenges, such as high levels of student drop-outs, strengthening ALS, challenges caused by natural disaster, as well as social and political threats.” DEPED