CEBU, Philippines — Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte yesterday emphasized the crucial role of literacy in unlocking opportunities and empowering individuals, paving the way for peace and prosperity in the country.
She said this during the final day of the two-day 2023 National Literacy Conference at DepEd-VII’s Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City.
Dueterte said functional literacy “goes beyond reading and writing” and that it "entails skills to apply it to real life situations, equip individuals to make informed decisions, communicate effectively and actively participate in the workforce and society."
DepEd has taken some steps to enhance functional literacy across all levels of education, but, Duterte said, more improvements, collaboration and partnerships between LGUs, the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders should be done.
Duterte said that under her leadership, DepEd aims that “No Filipino should be left behind due to geographical limitations.”
With this, she said, there is a need to invest in infrastructure, technology and resources to bridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas
Aside from that, there is also a need to ensure quality of education even in the most remote areas of the country.
As targeted, schools are also to be provided with the necessary tools and equipment to ensure inclusive learning environments, as well as recruiting and training qualified teachers who are passionate about improving literacy rate, while also doing interventions and programs that will address literacy gaps.
Scholarships and financial assistance are also expected for underprivileged students, along with additional support and resources for learners with special needs.
Duterte also emphasized the need to adapt to the changing demands of the digital age, as technology has transformed “the way we live, work and learn.”
“We must embrace this digital revolution and integrate digital literacy into our education system," the vice president said.
She further said that students would have to be taught how to navigate information online, use digital tools for communication, collaborate and develop critical thinking skills “to a evaluate digital content as well as teaching them the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.”
“By equipping learners with digital literacy skills, we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future,” she said.
“We must embrace this digital revolution and integrate digital literacy into our education system,” she added.
Duterte also emphasized that when a nation invests in education and promotes literacy among its people, it sets the stage for a peaceful and secure society.
“Education provides individuals with tools to understand and resolves conflicts in a peaceful manner… Fostering a culture of dialogues and tolerance… It equips them with critical thinking skills enabling them to challenge extremism, discrimination and other forms of social unrest,” she said.
“Education also plays a vital role in building a strong defense force by producing skilled and knowledgeable individuals who can contribute to the security and defense sectors,” she added.
For her, "education literacy and national security are interconnected pillars that contribute to peace development and prosperity in the country."
“It is our collective responsibility to support and contribute to these efforts as educators, parents, communities and civil society. We must work hand in hand with the government to prioritize education, promote literacy and ensure a secure and peaceful environment for all,” Duterte said. (CEBU NEWS)