Once Vice President-elect Sara Duterte takes office as Secretary of Education, she will focus on addressing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education and the K to 12 Program (DepEd).

During an interview in Davao City on Saturday, June 18, the incoming DepEd Chief identified the issues that she will prioritize during her term.

“Tatlo ‘yun (There are three),” Duterte said.

The incoming DepEd Secretary said she will prioritize the impact of school closures among students. “Unang-una yung (First of all the) effect ng (of) pandemic sa ating mga (among our) learners and sa sobrang tagal nila na hindi nag (they were not attending) face-to-face classes (for a long time),” Duterte explained.

Duterte said that she will also focus on the resumption of face-to-face classes amid the pandemic. “Pangalawa (Secondly), the question on sending them all back to school, face-to-face classes, full-on face-to-face classes,” she noted.

The third priority under her term, Duterte said, is the “thorough discussion on the K to 12 program.”

To have a smooth transition, Duterte said that a meeting was set with outgoing Education Secretary Leonor Briones on June 25.

Briones, in a statement issued earlier, welcomed the appointment of Duterte as the next DepEd Secretary.

“I and the DepEd family are ready to work with her team for the orderly transition of DepEd leadership,” Briones said. She also expressed optimism that the incoming administration will continue the existing programs of the agency.