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Two weeks before the elections, Education Nation, a coalition of 35 organizations and 21 education experts, gives Leni Robredo a perfect score (10 out of 10) for her plans in education based on data-driven and fact-based research and monitoring of the presidential candidates’ platforms and track record.
In an online press conference, the coalition presented its assessment of how the plans and initiatives of Leni Robredo, Bongbong Marcos, Ping Lacson, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, and Leody de Guzman suit the needs of the education sector based on the 10-point education reform agenda. Each candidate earned a point for every initiative, stance, and platform that aligns with the coalition's goal of ensuring good education governance, conducive learning environment, and facilitating the empowerment of teachers and schools, and high standards of learning for all. One candidate stood out by showing a brand of leadership that makes education a priority.
“Leni Robredo is the only candidate with a detailed strategy to take us out of this mess. One of the first things she would do if elected president is to declare an education crisis to ensure an all-hands on deck response,” said Marco de los Reyes, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Policy and Advocacy Manager who took the lead in the research for the voter’s guide to electing the Education President.
Since 2019, Education Nation has sounded alarm on the education crisis, as manifested by the Philippines’ poor education rankings in global learning assessments like PISA 2018 and TIMMS. In a recent UNICEF report, more than 85 percent of young Filipinos were reported to have poor reading skills. This devastating state of learning in the country underscores the need to elect leaders who will put quality education for all at the heart of the government’s development agenda.
“In our analysis of the candidates’ platforms, only the vice president has presented a clear plan to stem the crisis outlined in her Kalayaan sa Kakulangan sa Edukasyon platform. She gets a perfect score for this. Her strategies, clear goals and consultative and evidence-based solutions is the kind of response we need to stem the learning crisis.” added de los Reyes.
Other presidential candidates came close but not quite. Ping Lacson took second place, with his fight for an adequate budget for education in the senate, and his Edukasyon Plus platform that enhances existing government programs. Isko Moreno came in third with his impressive education aid and infrastructure projects and activities in Manila. His Tunay na solusyon, Mabilis Umaksyon program for education incorporates key points of the 10-point agenda but his support for public and private education complementarity remain unclear, along with his plans to strengthen community capacity and accountability for student learning.
With the education measures he was able to push for during his term in the senate, Bongbong Marcos ranked fourth. While he has laid down some plans for education, these lack the strategy needed to solve the education crisis. Leody de Guzman and Manny Pacquiao placed last because their platforms lack a clear plan of action to improve the education system and respond to the needs of the sector.
With 14 days left before the elections, Education Nation appeals to Filipino voters to choose a candidate who will lead a sustained education reform that will ensure the best state of education this nation needs to prosper.
“This May 9, we call everyone to choose a leader who understands the problem of education and who listens to all the sectors. We need someone who has the competence, experience, and character required and necessary to address the education crisis. We all need an Education President.” said PBEd President Chito B. Salazar.