DepEd partners with DAP, AIM to strengthen leadership capacities of educators

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 3 March 2026 – In line with efforts to accelerate learning recovery, the Department of Education (DepEd) has revitalized leadership training for education officials to strengthen the Department’s internal capacity to sustain long-term reforms.



Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday formally sealed DepEd’s partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to undertake leadership courses for educators.



“This program answers a very felt need in the Department to enhance professionalism and empower school leaders to make informed, data-driven decisions,” Secretary Angara said.

Through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DAP and AIM, DepEd, through the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) launched its EdLead 360: Public Education Leadership Lab initiative to strengthen school and system leadership in addressing the country’s learning crisis.



The MOA commits DepEd, through the NEAP, to implement structured and career-aligned leadership programs, in line with Republic Act No. 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act and DepEd’s reform agenda.



EdLead 360 was crafted based on the findings of EDCOM II and other studies that the effectiveness of school and system leaders is decisive for improving learning outcomes.



“Ayon sa mga ulat na ito, mahalaga sa pag-unlad ng sektor ng edukasyon ang teacher quality at continuous development kaya tututukan at palalakasin natin ito. We are inspired by the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos to really prioritize our people, especially our teachers,” Angara said.



DepEd-NEAP has has partnered with the DAP–Graduate School of Public and Development Management to revive the Superintendents’ Leadership Program.



This includes an Executive Course on Leadership and Public Finance Management for Schools Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents, reinforcing DepEd’s coherent, system-wide strategy to develop reform-ready leaders who can improve governance and learning outcomes.



Meanwhile through its partnership with the AIM, DepEd-NEAP will offer a four-week Postgraduate Certificate in Literacy Reform and Education Policy Leadership to 30 to 35 Division Chiefs and third-level officials.



The program aims to develop strategic leadership, systems and futures thinking, and evidence-based policy formulation, directly responding to persistent literacy challenges and governance gaps highlighted by national and international assessments and policy reviews.



The leadership skills enhancement is part of the DepEd’s overall efforts to promote the welfare of public school teachers, which includes increased allowances, reduced administrative workload, and professional advancement under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.





Joining Secretary Angara during the MOA signing were DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma, NEAP Director III Michael Joseph Cabauatan, DAP Acting President and CEO Leocadio Sebastian and AIM School of Executive Education & Lifelong Learning Head Leocadio Sebastian.