President Marcos promised to fix the P12 billion budget cut of the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2025, after Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his concern about it. According to Angara, the reduction of P10 billion from DepEd's computerization program, which aims to provide digital tools to public schools, is contrary to the President's call to bridge the digital divide. Although there is this challenge, Angara shared that the President himself assured that he will find a way to fix the situation.
Teachers and education advocates have condemned the funding cut, which they say will worsen the country's current learning crisis. The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) warned that the digital gap could widen and affect the readiness of students for an innovative technology.
They also criticized its effect on overworked and underpaid teachers. They urged the government to implement better funding and accountability to meet the real needs of the education sector. Meanwhile, Rep. called. France Castro called the budget cuts "anti-education" and called for the funding to be restored in response to the needs of students and teachers.
On the other hand, Rep. Luis Campos Jr. the President's order to raise the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) of public teachers from P18,000 to P20,000. He said the increase could be financed from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund included in the 2024 and 2025 budget.
Campos, who advocates higher benefits for teachers, emphasized the importance of additional incentives to help them face the rising cost of living. Education advocates continue to call on the government to prioritize the education sector as a top priority for the country.
