Lifelong learning law signed

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has signed the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act into law, which aims to promote functional literacy at all levels of society.

Republic Act 12313, signed on Oct. 23 and made public yesterday, mandates the promotion of basic and functional literacy for all and allows every citizen the opportunity to become literate and obtain foundational and transversal skills.

“No person, regardless of ability, sex, social background, language, ethnicity, religion or culture, shall be excluded from participating in the lifelong learning system,” the LLDF Act read.

RA 12313 provides access to early childhood care and education, promotes inclusivity and equity in education, mandates access to formal education from primary to tertiary level, provides access to adult education and technical-vocational education and provides support for underrepresented and marginalized groups.

“Lifelong learning shall not be confined to educational or business settings but shall also include learning within families and local communities,” the law states.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his appreciation to various organizations that continue to honor outstanding Filipino teachers, saying these recognitions strengthen teacher morale and affirm the nation’s respect for their work.

“When we recognize our teachers, we remind the nation that progress begins in the classroom. Through these partnerships, we not only uplift educators but also strengthen the foundations of Philippine education,” Angara said.

President Marcos recently led the awarding of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in Malacañang, recognizing 10 exceptional teachers, soldiers and police officers who embody the spirit of the Bagong Pilipino.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also lauded Lea Domingo of Luzong Elementary School in Ilocos Norte, who was named this year’s Philippine recipient of the Princess Maha Chakri Award. Domingo was recognized for her innovative pro-environment and sustainability projects.

The Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal Para sa Edukasyon also awarded 18 outstanding education workers.

The recognition program was inspired by the long-running “Value of Hard Work and Discipline” advocacy campaign jointly spearheaded by Fortune Life Insurance Co. and Marylindbert International.

The DepEd also acknowledged the Gabay Guro Foundation, a long-time partner of the department in empowering and supporting teachers. The foundation recently concluded its Grand Gathering of Teachers in Pasig City.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education said DepEd should review its policy on the establishment of school division offices after an EDCOM 2 study found that there are large disparities in the number of schools supervised and supported by each SDO, leading to uneven resources, personnel and support available to schools nationwide.

The EDCOM 2 added that a review of RA 9155, or the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, is needed to ensure equitable distribution of school division offices in the country.

EDCOM 2 noted that among large SDOs, Leyte manages 1,363 schools, while Caloocan City, also considered large, manages only 319.

Meanwhile, Cebu, the largest division in the country, supervises as many as 1,346 schools, compared to the smallest division office, Batanes, with 28 schools.

The EDCOM 2 noted that under Section 7 of RA 9155, a “division shall consist of a province or a city which shall have a schools division superintendent” with wide ranging responsibilities, including the hiring and evaluation of all division supervisors, schools district supervisors, as well as teaching and non-teaching personnel.

For his part, DepEd Undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs Filemon Javier said RA 9155 restricts the department from creating new divisions, even if provinces or cities have increased in terms of their student population or the number of schools established within their jurisdictions.

EDCOM 2 commissioner and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo asked the DepEd to submit its recommendations on how to amend the law, as well as budgetary support needed, to the commission.

Meanwhile an official of the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said there is a deep connection between mental health and education amid the growing mental health challenges among students and educators.