By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the sudden resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Monday (24 June 2024) expressed its disapproval of Senator Sonny Angara as the next education chief.
In a statement, the TDC asked the President to appoint a “non-political” figure as the next DepEd Secretary to spare the agency from “political bickering.”
“We call on our President to ensure that the next DepEd secretary is not a politician or actively involved in partisan politics. This is to ensure that DepEd is spared from political bickering and being dragged into divisive political fighting,” TDC chairperson Benjo Basas quipped.
VP Sara resigned as DepEd chief last week, claiming her departure was motivated by her genuine concern for the well-being of both teachers and students.
Earlier, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, batted for Angara as the next DepEd chief.
Marcos Jr. will have almost a month to choose a replacement for Duterte, whose resignation will take effect on July 19, 2024.
However, the TDC maintained that the new Education secretary should put educational advancement as their main thrust “rather than political agenda.”
“Aside from this, the next secretary should be an excellent manager since that person will be managing the largest bureaucracy in the country. This individual will oversee the department with the most personnel, the most geographically dispersed operations, and the greatest resources,” Basas stressed.
(el Amigo/MNM)
