Education, as per the Constitution, has the highest allotment among all agencies.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced the new education and workforce initiatives, as well as reforms and other measures taken by the government on the sector.
Foremost, he mentioned the strengthening of the Senior High School curriculum, which aims to equip students with practical skills through enhanced work immersion, which they can use once they enter “the real world.”
“Patuloy pa rin nating pinalalakas ang curriculum ng Senior High upang lalong maihanda ang estudyante para sa tunay na mundo,” he said. “Pinaigting ang work immersion para maranasan nila nang personal ang paghahanapbuhay sa kanilang gustong larangan.”
He also cited the increase in the number of local colleges and universities included in the World University Rankings for Innovation, with half of the 140 in 2026 being state universities and colleges (SUCs).
“Panatag ang ating loob sa edukasyon pagkatapos ng Senior High, dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng kalidad ng kolehiyo sa ating bansa,” Marcos added.
The President also noted that programs such as the Young Creatives Challenge, the NICE Awards, and the Filipinnovation Awards recognize and encourage young Filipinos who excel in innovation and creativity.
SCHOLARSHIP, SCHOOL-BASED FEEDING
Meanwhile, he also billed the Presidential Scholars program, where the Office of the President will provide PHP100,000 in educational assistance to five students in every barangay nationwide.
“Para mahikayat ang kabataan na magtapos ng kolehiyo, ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo ay naglaan ng isandaang libong piso para sa limang estudyante sa bawat barangay sa buong bansa. Sila ngayon ang ating Presidential Scholars,” Marcos said.
In addition, he also said that the School-Based Feeding Program was also expanded this year to cover 4.5 million students, including all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners and students from Grade 2 and up who are considered to be “wasted” or “severely wasted” in their body mass index (BMI).
“Ngayong school year, tuloy ang ating school-based feeding program bilang mabisang suporta sa pag-aaral. Sa programang ito, mapapakain natin ang mahigit apat at kalahating milyong Kinder at Grade 1, at mga mag-aaral na Grade 2 at pataas, na mga lubos na nangangailangan ng nutrisyon,” he said.
TVET
PBBM also highlighted the growing role of technical-vocational education in improving employability, with 81-percent placement rate for TVET graduates.
He mentioned programs such as Tsuper Iskolar and En-TSUPER-neur, which provide drivers with alternative livelihood skills.
There are are also training programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) that will equip more than 10,000 farmers and fisherfolk with new competencies.
The President also said that the government has also integrated the Tech-Pro program into the Senior High School curriculum through a ladderized approach, which allows graduates to transition seamlessly from tech-voc to college.
He added, “Maaaring gamitin ng isang TVET graduate ang kanyang National Certificate bilang pundasyon upang maituloy pa ang pag-aaral hanggang maging ganap itong kolehiyong diploma.“
As an example, he told, Electrical Installation and Maintenance graduates who may pursue Electrical Engineering, and Caregiving graduates who wish to continue with Nursing.
College graduates may also earn National Certificates to shift careers or start their own businesses.
The President said the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) continue to make information on TVET courses, training centers, application procedures, and schedules readily accessible to the public.
In addition, the TESDA Passport launched this year, has also made training and certification services more convenient through digitalization.
AI IS HERE TO STAY
Marcos also highlighted the government’s efforts to prepare Filipinos for the digital economy with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) providing high-impact digital skills training.
“AI is here to stay, and so we adopt it to harness its potential to enhance critical sectors, from our educational system to our industries,” he said as he announced the government-led AI readiness programs have already reached at least 1.8 million individuals, including students, parents, and teachers.
The government will also continue expanding AI literacy programs and scholarship initiatives to develop critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills among Filipino youth.
SCHOOL SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH
Meanwhile, he also emphasized that more must be done to protect children from what he called “harmful influences that exploit their vulnerability” such as the influence of fake news; pornography, even to minors; the constant depiction of casual violence; and the toxicity and hate culture in social media.
“These pernicious influences lead to issues of their mental health, rise in teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS cases, and other extremely harmful consequences,” he emphasized.
Thus, he said, that everyone must assume responsibility for the protection of young people.
He also took a moment to pay tribute the three students who were killed in the grim Tacloban school shooting incident last June.
“Ang mga nasawi na ating mag-aaral kamakailan dala ng karahasan at kapabayaan ay nag-iwan ng malaking puwang sa kanilang pamilya, at mapait na aral din para sa ating lahat,” he said. “Sa mga magulang at kaanak ng mga nasawi at nasaktan dahil sa nangyaring karahasan sa mga paaralan, tanggapin po ninyo ang aming taimtim na pakikiramay.“
Marcos continued, “To the parents of Chris Lorenz Fabian, Joyancee Separa, and Ayessa Nicole Dazo: we are all so very proud of the unflinching bravery and heroic virtue that you have instilled in your children. They are an inspiration to us all.“
He also recognized their courage and selflessness, which he deemed as “true Filipino qualities,” and “virtues that these trying times call for.”
Marcos also said that schools will serve as second homes for students that will take students who are challenged by their situations at home.
“Tatayo ang paaralan bilang pangalawang tahanan para sa kanila. Kaya hinahanda natin ang mga pampublikong paaralan upang tanggapin sila nang bukas-palad,” he said, adding that the process of hiring 10,000 new School Counselor Associates is already underway.
“Magtutulungan ang lokal na pamahalaan, ang barangay, PNP, at DepEd upang palakasin ang seguridad sa paaralan,” added the President.
He also mentioned that the DepEd is also ensuring mechanisms and processes on reporting and responding to bullying incidents and other emergencies are working.
“Hinahanda rin natin ang ating mga principal at guro upang mamagitan sa pag-ayos ng anumang hindi pagkakaintindihan ng mga estudyante,” added the President.
SCHOOL PERSONNEL, FACILITIES
Meanwhile, for the school personnel themselves, he also said that the Expanded Career Progression. has promoted 80,000 teachers and school heads nationwide since it was announced in his SONA in 2025.
“Nagkaroon na rin ng mahigit tatlumpung libong karagdagang posisyon para lumakas ang puwersa ng mga guro,” the President added.
Meanwhile, the government is also providing them with Smart TVs, laptops, tablets, free mobile data, and lapel microphones to “facilitate effective instruction,” he said.
Lastly, force multipliers have also been activated to address classroom shortage nationwide. Some of these are the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and the local government units (LGUs).
“For its part, the private sector also will construct its initial share of more than 16,000 classrooms in Luzon, by way of PPPs. Additional PPPs with higher production targets will soon follow for the Visayas and Mindanao,” Marcos also mentioned.
