National private school organizations are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to retain Education Secretary Sonny Angara and TESDA Director General Francisco Benitez, emphasizing the need for continuity in ongoing education reforms.
The calls come amid the recent Cabinet revamp, prompting key groups such as the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Unified TVET of the Philippines, Inc. (UniTVET), and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) to voice their support.
In a statement, PEAC highlighted Angara’s role in strengthening public-private partnerships in education. “His tenure has already brought key policy shifts, including the review and expansion of education subsidies with a renewed focus on equity and access,” the group said.
Angara, who also serves as PEAC Chairman, was lauded for policy initiatives that reinforce complementarity between public and private institutions. COCOPEA cited his leadership in advancing the Public-Private Complementarity Framework, calling it critical to systemic reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes nationwide.
PACU, meanwhile, pointed to both Angara’s and Benitez’s legislative and education policy experience, noting their prior service as EDCOM 2 Commissioners. “Angara’s reform-driven agenda is aligned with the real needs of learners and educators. His commitment to transparency and zero tolerance for corruption is also commendable,” the group said.
Benitez was similarly praised for modernizing the technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system. PEAC recognized his strategic focus on access, industry relevance, and lifelong learning, while UniTVET called him a “visionary” leader committed to workforce development.
CEAP emphasized the need for stability in the education sector, particularly given the ongoing challenges. “Education is the bedrock of democracy. It must remain insulated from political influences,” the group said. “We hope the President will recognize the accomplishments of Secretary Angara and allow him to continue his work.”
The organizations collectively appealed to the President to prioritize leadership continuity in education, warning that political disruptions could derail reforms that benefit millions of Filipino learners
