01/08/2025
Educate young minds: Educate future voters
BAM PUSHES URGENT REFORMS IN EDUCATION SECTOR IN MAIDEN PRIVILEGE SPEECH
Sen. Bam Aquino, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, called for sweeping education reforms during his privilege speech on Wednesday, July 30, as he assumed his role as co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
Citing a "critical moment" for Philippine education, Aquino urged lawmakers to prioritize funding and legislative action to address key issues highlighted in the EDCOM report.
Among the urgent concerns he outlined were child malnutrition, classroom shortages, poor internet connectivity, lack of textbooks, inadequate teacher support, widening learning gaps, and the low employability of senior high school graduates.
Aquino pushed for the passage of several bills, including the Classroom Building Acceleration Program Act, Angat Sweldo para sa G**o Act, and the E-Textbook Para sa Lahat Act.
He also expressed support for increasing the education budget to at least 4% of GDP, aligning with global standards.
"Hope is alive and well," Aquino said, calling on all sectors to work together to address what he described as a national education crisis.