Noynoy gets support of private school educators

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III won the admiration and support of private school educators yesterday when he presented a practical and doable course of action to address the education sector’s problems if he wins the May 2010 polls.

While his proposal to add another year in high school could generate controversy as well the ire of students and parents, it earned him a lot of support from private school owners and administrators.

But officials and members of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) also gave high marks to the other presidential candidates, namely Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Nicanor Perlas and John Carlos de los Reyes, for stepping forward and presenting their educational platforms.

Dr. Ben Malayang III, COCOPEA chairman, said they were pleased with the forum and the two-day “Electing Excellence” congress they conducted at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

“The congress elevated the importance of Philippine education in the centrality of the campaign debate,” Malumay said.

The COCOPEA is a federation of private school associations, namely the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities, the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities, and the Technical Vocational Schools Association of the Philippines.

Dr. Vince Fabella, PACU and Jose Rizal University president, said Aquino got the highest mark after presenting strategies to help the education sector.

“Senator Aquino gave the most doable strategies to helping education. He clearly has a grasp of the issues, Fabella told The Star.

While Perlas also gave an interesting presentation of his proposed programs to improve the education sector, Fabella said he did not discuss a course of action to pursue his plans in the next six years.

He said Aquino’s plan to add another year or two in high school “is consistent with the 10-point agenda of the Education Nation.”

Fabella said they are happy with the outcome of the forum as it raised the importance of Philippine education.   – Rainier Allan Ronda