Speaking before his fellow alumni from the University of the East (UE) at the Manila Hotel, De Castro said the country is being beleaguered by the problem of skepticism.
"Today our nation faces a different challenge," he said.
"Our nation is beleaguered today by the problem of skepticism, if not national pessimism. We like to portray ourselves as less than what we really are.
"We like to harp on our deficiencies rather than our strengths. The educational system plays an important role in finding a solution to this social problem."
De Castro said the country’s educational system can be reformed by providing students quality education via President Arroyo’s 10-point agenda.
"As I do my part as Vice President in facing the gigantic task of providing quality education to our youth, I hope you will join us in helping achieve the noble goals of the Arroyo-De Castro administration in providing a better future for our country," he said.
Acknowledging his alma mater, De Castro said UE has continued to shape its students to become socially and morally responsible citizens.
In coming up with board and bar topnotchers in dentistry, engineering, public accounting, and law, UE alumni must make use of the things they have learned in the university, he added.
De Castro graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UE in 1971. — Pia Lee-Brago