As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. prepares to announce a new Department of Education (DepEd) secretary this weekend, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has reiterated its call for the appointment of a non-political figure with strong management skills and teaching experience.

“We insist that the new secretary should not be a politician or actively involved in partisan politics,” said Benjo Basas, chairperson of TDC, in a statement. 

“This is crucial to keeping the DepEd free from political conflicts and ensuring that its focus remains on educational advancement rather than divisive politics or electoral considerations,” he added.

The DepEd, being the largest bureaucracy in the country, requires a leader who has knowledge and experience in management, Basas noted. 

The new secretary will confront complex challenges, manage extensive resources, implement policies affecting some 47,000 schools and 1 million personnel and initiate reforms that will impact the entire educational sector.

Additionally, TDC emphasized the importance of appointing someone from the academe with experience in public school teaching. 

“Such a background ensures that the new secretary has firsthand experience with the daily challenges faced by teachers and students, providing a deeper understanding and empathy for their situations,” Basas said.

On Friday, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) has also recommended several names to fill the position of outgoing DepEd secretary.

In a letter to President Marcos, PBEd President Chito Salazar suggested Senator Sonny Angara, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Congressman Kiko Benitez of Negros Occidental, and Synergeia Foundation President Milwida Guevara as potential candidates for the role.

Regardless of who the president appoints, TDC vowed to continue engaging with DepEd to improve the country’s education system, with a focus on advocating for better policies for teachers.

“We are not advocating for the selection of any specific individual, particularly those from our organization or allied organizations,” Basas clarified. “However, we know some of the current and past DepEd officials who meet these criteria and are capable of fulfilling these responsibilities.”

On Thursday, Marcos said he will name the next DepEd chief before end-June, citing the urgency to fill in the crucial position. 

The resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as secretary of DepEd and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict will be effective July 19, 2024.