DepEd deepens church, civil society ties to reach underserved learners

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TAGAYTAY CITY, 3 February 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday said the Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening partnerships with the Church and civil society groups to reach learners left behind by poverty, mobility, and weak retention, as part of a broader push to place learners at the center of education reform.





Speaking at the 42nd National Social Action General Assembly of Caritas Philippines in Tagaytay City, Angara said education reform, like pastoral work, requires sustained presence in communities and close attention to the daily realities of learners and teachers, particularly in underserved areas.




Angara pointed to DepEd’s collaboration with Caritas Philippines’ nationwide network of 86 diocesan social action centers to extend the reach of key programs, including school-based feeding, learning recovery, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS), particularly for out-of-school youth and other marginalized learners.



“We take our inspiration from all of you. Your stories and successes drive us towards meaningful reforms,” Angara said, noting that partnerships help government programs respond to realities on the ground, from hunger that affects learning to learners who need flexible pathways back to school.





Angara cited the expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), now covering all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide, as an example of how DepEd is responding to evidence linking nutrition and learning.




He also underscored the scale-up of learning recovery through the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, which provides structured tutoring and remediation for millions of learners. Angara said community and church-based groups can complement these efforts through volunteer tutoring, mentoring, and local learning initiatives, particularly in areas with limited access to formal support.



The education secretary further highlighted the role of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a key entry point for out-of-school youth, working adults, and other marginalized learners seeking a second chance at basic education. He acknowledged the contribution of church-led initiatives, such as community-based learning centers, in helping learners return to education through flexible and trust-based approaches.



Angara said supporting teachers remains central to DepEd’s reform agenda, noting recent efforts to reduce administrative requirements, expand welfare support, and promote thousands of teachers.

Fellow Cabinet members Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, along with church leaders and civil society representatives nationwide, also joined the gathering, which focused on strengthening partnerships to improve service delivery across social sectors.




Meanwhile, Angara thanked the Society of Jesus Educational Apostolate (SJEA), which brings together Jesuit schools and universities nationwide, for its support of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and its reform agenda. He acknowledged the Jesuit network’s endorsement of the commission’s findings, which he said helped build momentum for major policy shifts in education.



Angara said the long-standing work of Jesuit schools and other faith-based institutions in communities makes them vital partners in translating national reforms into concrete gains for learners, particularly those most at risk of dropping out or being left behind.