Education chief highlights importance of 21st century skills in PH education system

Photo from the Department of Education

PASAY CITY, Feb 23 — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones underscored the importance of instilling 21st century skills among all learners during the 3rd Annual EduTECH Philippines Conference and Exhibition held from February 20 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

In her keynote speech, Briones explained the key deliverables of the Department with emphasis on making education relevant to the urgent needs of and opportunities for the nation. This is in line with the event’s theme, “21st Century Quality Education for All in the Philippines.”

“What we teach and encourage our learners to learn from school has to be relevant to the 21st century, to our needs, and has to be responsive to the challenges that our country faces at this time,” the Secretary stated.

She further explained that there is something new and exciting happening in and outside the Philippines every day to which the basic education system has to respond. Thus, it has resulted in massive outputs like the provision of school buildings with improved design and facilities, and the setting up of 21st century classrooms with various innovative features and equipment.

Briones also noted that the Department recognizes and supports the digital rise in the Philippine education system. She shared that as early as 2010, the Department already started efforts in raising the information and communications technology (ICT) literacy of the learners, teachers, school heads, and other personnel through the DepEd Computerization Program.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones underscored the importance of instilling 21st century skills among all learners during the 3rd Annual EduTECH Philippines Conference and Exhibition held from February 20 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. (DepEd Photo)

Furthermore, Briones emphasized, “Even as we focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we must not forget that we are Filipinos and we have a history and multi-varied culture all over the country. This is why it is equally important to focus as well on the social sciences or the so-called soft sciences. I believe this is possible. We don’t have to neglect one for the other.”

The conference was organized by the Terrapin Pte. Ltd and was supported by DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Moreover, it aimed to provide the participants with insights on the latest innovations and pedagogies transforming K to 12 Basic Education, and enable them to discover how learning and teaching is getting transformed in higher education.


Stay updated with news and information from the Department of Education by visiting their website at http://www.deped.gov.ph.

Balikbayan Media Center

Balikbayan Magazine's Media Center serves an audience in 60 countries and 101 cities throughout the World to ignite, drive, and fuel the economic development, progression, and modernisation of the Philippines. Our Media Center curates only the most critical, vital, useful, entertaining, and sometimes amusing information released from both the public and private sector. Our editorial team strongly believes that a well-rounded and well-informed society is a thriving society.

Spotlighting the growth, development, and progression of the Philippines since 2009. Balikbayan Magazine is a publication of the Asian Journal Media Group.

Copyright © 2009-2023 Asian Journal Media Group.
All Rights Reserved.