By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Just as quickly as Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio left the Department of Education as its secretary after announcing her resignation, so should President Marcos appoint her replacement.
Naturally, there would be a vetting process and Malacanang would not want to appoint an education chief in haste. However, the urgency is dictated by the fact that the new school year begins next month.
The administration’s “Matatag curriculum” launched last year aims for a robust and well-structured educational framework designed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Philippines.
Inday Sara’s abrupt departure does not help the transition for the new curriculum’s phased implementation, but that is not to say that these reforms should ground to a halt.
On the bright side, the President, the Executive Secretary, the First Lady, or whoever it is who really chooses the next DepEd secretary has a golden opportunity to install a genuine educator who has a vision and the management chops to execute the needed reforms.
Hopefully, the next appointee will not be a political choice so that DepEd policies will be serious and free from partisan manipulation. It’s time for a professional, not a politician, to lead our children’s education forward.
Give this person a promotion!
Last week, social media raved over the honesty of Rosalinda Celero, the cleaner at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, who surrendered a stash of cash she found in a used pair of socks.
It was without a second thought that Celero handed the money — all $18,800 of it — to the lost and found section. Kudos to Celero for her integrity; and for demonstrating a level of honesty that’s both rare and admirable.
This is the kind of character that deserves recognition and reward. She should be promoted to supervisor, if not higher.
Her actions stand as a shining example for her colleagues and a stark contrast to the corruption that often plagues our government. It’s time to take a hard look at who gets elevated to top positions. Those who do good, whether anyone is watching or not, are the ones truly deserving of leadership roles.
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