MANILA, July 27, 2018 – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones emphasized the Constitution’s provision that there should be complementarity between public and private education.

The Education chief underscored this during her keynote address at the Wesleyan College of Manila’s Global Education Forum with the theme, “Toward A Shared Future through Education for Sustainable Development and Peace,” held on July 21 at Hotel Jen in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Speaking in front of officials and members of the Asia-Pacific Association of Methodist-related Educational Institutions (APAMEI) and the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), Briones expounded on the importance of striking a balance between public and private education.

“One of the concerns right now in education is what is perceived as the growing role or dominance of public educational institutions vis-à-vis private educational institutions. However, the Constitution is very clear – there has to be complementarity. One cannot be lording over the other even if one has more resources than the other does. In the Department, we try to articulate this in our policies,” Briones highlighted.

The Secretary further explained why the private and public education sector are on an equal footing.

“In terms of quality education, the impression is if you are in the private school, therefore, you are better. I am sorry to say, that is not the truth anymore,” Briones further relayed, citing as example a recent contest in Science and Mathematics wherein students from public schools excelled, especially those from Science High Schools.

“The fact is, there are very good public schools, there are very good private schools, as well as there are problematic schools in both sectors. The difference is that public schools are carefully monitored and they cannot get away with it because we are investing public money in these schools,” the Secretary pointed out.

The Global Forum on Educations aims to gain a global perspective on educational trends, challenges, and issues, and to create and engage a network of global educational alliances and partnerships to make education and its curricula relevant and responsive to present challenges vis-à-vis the fast-paced technological advancement and demands from local, regional, and global stakeholders.

Founded in February 2012, APAMEI brought together the many Methodist-related educational institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, and serves as the Asia-Pacific regional association of the IAMSCU. IAMSCU, meanwhile, seeks to increase the availability of educational opportunities throughout the world, improve the quality of education, and enable educational institutions to collaborate based on common heritage and educational ideals based on the Wesleyan tradition.

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