Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

DepEd launches 10-year education plan; ACT Teachers warn of budget shortfalls

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) officially rolled out its Quality Basic Education Development Plan (Q-BEDP) 2025–2035 on Tuesday, promising long-term reforms in the country’s education system to improve learning outcomes, address resource gaps, and adapt to future global trends.</p><p>But the ambitious 10-year roadmap drew critical responses from progressive lawmakers, who questioned the administration&#x27;s capacity and political will to fund and sustain it.</p><p>Education Secretary Sonny Angara admitted that ensuring the continuity of the Q-BEDP after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. steps down in 2028 would ultimately depend on the next administration.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-jr-says-laptops-for-teachers-other-school-gadgets-arriving-soon-1714">Marcos Jr. says laptops for teachers, other school gadgets arriving soon</a></div><p>“Well, hindi natin ma-e-ensure ‘yan. Depende na ‘yan sa uupo pagkatapos namin at kung susundan nila iyong plano. Pero iyong plano hindi naman kasi planong political ‘yan. ‘Yan ay plano para sa pangmatagalan, para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan,” Angara said.</p><p>The Q-BEDP serves as the implementation strategy of the 5-Point Education Reform Agenda, first introduced in 2024, and aims to modernize the education system through digitalization, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and decentralization of implementation across regions.</p><p>It is designed to cover an entire school journey, from Grade 1 to Grade 12, over the next decade.</p><p>“Within the next 10 years, ‘yan ay iyong batang grade 1 ay mapupunta sa grade 11 or grade 12. So, halos iyong buong buhay niya sa paaralan ay sakop [ng QBEDP],” Angara said, emphasizing the plan’s long-term reach.</p><div> </div><div><strong>ADDRESSING PAST CHALLENGES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The plan, launched in alignment with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, aims to fix longstanding issues like declining student performance, digital illiteracy, and shortage of resources.</p><p>Angara cited improvements in preparing students for digital-based international exams like PISA or the Programme for International Student Assessment.</p><p>“Iyong mga estudyante na first time makahawak ng computer doon sa PISA exam, hindi na maulit iyon dahil lahat ng estudyante ay na-train natin na mag-exam sa computer,” he said.</p><p>To fund the reforms, DepEd is seeking over P900 billion for 2026, a sharp jump from its P737 billion budget in 2025.</p><p>Marcos said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that 40,000 new classrooms would be constructed and all teachers would be equipped with laptops by the end of his term in 2028, goals that Angara said were achievable with public-private partnership. </p><p>“Kaya sabi niya lahat ng guro natin magkakaroon ng laptop, makakatayo tayo ng 40,000 classrooms, kasi mas malaki iyong budget na ibibigay kapag sama-sama iyong gobyerno, kasama iyong pribadong sektor,” Angara said. </p><div> </div><div><strong>CRITICS FLAG FUNDING GAPS AND STRUCTURAL FLAWS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>But for ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, the Q-BEDP suffers from the same chronic problem that has plagued the education sector for years: underfunding.</p><p>“Isang mahalagang punto pa kaugnay doon sa SONA ng presidente, ang hindi natin talaga narinig ay iyong klarong commitment na popondohan ng sapat ang edukasyon,” Tinio said.</p><p>“More or less, kalahati lang ang kasalukuyang budget kumpara sa pangangailangan. Kailangan doblehin ang budget,” he added.</p><p>While Tinio acknowledged some positive moves such as paying teachers’ overtime and overload work, he warned these are often poorly implemented.</p><p>“Halos walang nababayaran ng overload or overtime pay kasi napakaistrikto at napakabigat ng mga requirements,” he said.</p><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/20/deped-says-reviewing-budget-over-plea-of-teachers-for-internet-access-allowance">DepEd says reviewing budget over plea of teachers for internet access allowance</a></div><p>The Q-BEDP’s emphasis on decentralization also raised concerns. While empowering local units is ideal, Tinio warned that devolving funding responsibilities could worsen inequalities.</p><p>Regarding PPP solutions, Tinio pointed to the failures of past efforts.</p><p>“Iyong private sector, ayaw din nila magpatayo ng classroom sa mga liblib na lugar dahil hindi profitable sa kanila,” he said, noting that rural and underdeveloped areas could continue to be left behind.</p><p>Even the push for digitalization, while necessary, faces infrastructure barriers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/6/19/internet-in-all-public-schools-eyed-this-year-dict-1442">Internet in all public schools eyed this year: DICT</a></div><p>“At least 1,500 or so schools ng DepEd, wala pa nga ang kuryente. So much more iyong mga less economically developed na regions ng ating bansa,” he added.</p>

<p>The Department of Education officially rolled out its Quality Basic Education Development Plan (Q-BEDP) 2025–2035 on Tuesday, promising long-term reforms in the country’s education system to improve learning outcomes, address resource gaps, and adapt to future global trends</p>

The Department of Education officially rolled out its Quality Basic Education Development Plan (Q-BEDP) 2025–2035 on Tuesday, promising long-term reforms in the country’s education system to improve learning outcomes, address resource gaps, and adapt to future global trends