A move seen to help the sector keep up with the evolving world.
During the 3rd Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee Meeting, which was recently held in Baler, Aurora, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TeSDA) launched the unified brand One Education.
According to the agencies , this initiative, that bears the tagline “Maraming Landas, Isang Sistema. Para Sa Bawat Pilipino,” is a step to align reforms in basic education, higher education, technical-vocational education, and workforce development.
The said brand will serve as strategic communication platform of the Trifocal Education System and aims to make it clearer and more accessible for learners, families, schools, training institutions, employers, and partners how education opportunities across the three agencies interact.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, One Education reflects the shared responsibility of the agencies.
“Ang One Education ay paalala na hindi magkakahiwalay ang pangarap ng ating mga learners,” he emphasized. “Kailangang mas malinaw ang tulay mula basic education papunta sa kolehiyo, technical-vocational training, trabaho, negosyo, at lifelong learning. Kapag mas magkakaugnay ang sistema, mas madali para sa bawat Pilipino na makita kung saan siya puwedeng magsimula, umusad, at magtagumpay.”
For her part, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized, “Nais nating gawing mas simple at magaan ang pagtapak sa kolehiyo para sa bawat Pilipinong mag-aaral.”
“Through One Education, we are ensuring that a learner’s prior academic and technical achievements — whether from senior high school or tech-voc programs — are recognized and credited by our HEIs. This ensures that no effort is wasted as we build a more direct, seamless path for our learners to transition successfully into the modern workforce,” she added.
Meanwhile, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez noted its importance in a fast-changing world. “Ibang iba na ang demands sa trabaho ngayon kumpara noon. Kaya ang edukasyon, dapat sumasabay din sa panahon.“
“In the past two years, we have been building seamless education pathways for Filipino learners. Anumang industriya ang nais mong pasukin at anuman ang iyong background, mayroong malinaw na daan para sa pangarap mo,” he added.
As part of the launch, the agencies introduced the Education Reform Fellowship (ERF).
It is the flagship initiative that will recruit, train, and mentor young professionals and reform-oriented talents to support priority education and workforce development reforms. This will help them gain exposure to policy work, program implementation, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and inter-agency coordination in the education and workforce development ecosystem.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement was also signed by the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA with Analytiks, Inc. for Project Tahan.
This initiative builds learner traceability and interoperability with the aim of improving learner tracking in basic education, higher education, technical-vocational education, and workforce development pathways, as well as support the government in improving the sector.
DEPED, CHED DENIES ARTICLE ON AGRUPIS REPLACING ANGARA IN UPCOMING ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING
Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, July 12, the Department of Education (DepEd Philippines) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) categorically denied reports that Chairperson Agrupis wanted to replace Education Secretary Sonny Angara in the 14th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings in Singapore.
“At no point did Chairperson Agrupis seek to lead the Philippine delegation or challenge Secretary Angara’s designation as Head of Delegation. Secretary Angara has always been the duly designated Head of Delegation, consistent with established ASEAN protocols,” the both government agencies told.
DepEd also explained that they formally invited Agrupis to join the Philippine delegation to “ensure that the country’s higher education priorities are fully represented in the regional discussions and aligned with the Philippines’ overall education agenda,” highlighting that her participation is important in advancing the three ASEAN higher education initiatives that were adopted during a roundtable event in Manila last June.
“DepEd sought guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that appropriate diplomatic courtesies and protocol arrangements would be extended to Chairperson Agrupis as a Cabinet-level official. This had nothing to do with the leadership of the delegation,” the joint statement furthered.
DepEd and CHED also said they remain “united in advancing the country’s education agenda,” as well as ensuring a “strong, coherent, and productive Philippine participation in the ASEAN meetings.”
It continued, “We recognize that public officials must remain open to scrutiny, and we welcome constructive criticism grounded in facts. Honest criticism strengthens institutions and helps leaders improve.“
However, it also noted, “unsubstantiated accusations, speculations, and insinuations must never replace truth, fairness, evidence, and responsible public discourse.”
“We will not allow unfounded allegations to distract us from the work that must be done. Neither criticism nor recognition should dictate the course of public service. That course must always be guided by duty, conscience, and the welfare of the people.“