Edcom 2, Benilde partner for education reform

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) sealed a cooperation agreement with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) for education reform. Photo from EDCOM 2

Motivated by the mutual pursuit to uplift the quality of the education system in the country, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) sealed a cooperation agreement with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Established pursuant to Republic Act No. 11899, the Congressional body is tasked to undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector.

It was created to recommend transformative, concrete and targeted reforms to enable the country to be globally competitive in both education and labor markets.

The alliance was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Edcom 2 executive director Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Benilde president Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC and Benilde chancellor Benhur Ong.

Present as witnesses were Edcom 2 cochairs Senator Win Gatchalian and Representatives Roman Romulo and Mark Go; Edcom 2 commissioners Senators Sonny Angara and Pia Cayetano and Representative Kiko Benitez; and Benilde’s Nicky Templo-Perez and Marco Santiago.

(From left) EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Win Gatchalian, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Chancellor Benhur Ong, and EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Sonny Angara

Through the partnership, Benilde is set to spearhead the creation of multimedia projects which aim to shed light on the plight and narratives of teachers and learners. These endeavors, which may range from short films to social media content, will be a collaborative effort between the young talents of the college and its faculty members.

The works will touch on key priority areas identified by Edcom 2, to include malnutrition in early childhood, shortage of food for children and parents’ lack of access to knowledge.

The challenges of studying in severely congested classrooms and multi-shift schools will also be tackled, as well as important issues such as bullying. The circumstances of students who cannot read despite being in the sixth grade and above will be deliberated. Also covered are the experiences of teachers with numerous administrative tasks on top of their teaching work.

Subjects on limited funding will be confronted.