Student-leaders across the country made history on Friday as they turned over the Youth Education Agenda to the Department of Education (DepEd) at the conclusion of the Philippine Youth Convergence (PYC) 2022, June 17.
The Youth Education Agenda, which reflects the common sentiments, outlooks, insights, and perspectives on various social, political, economic, and environmental issues affecting the Filipino Youth, will be the point of deliberation of DepEd in crafting learner and youth-centered initiatives.
“The importance of crafting this Youth Education Agenda is that it is the perspective of the youth. It is our collective statement, and it is what our voices consolidated together to stand and make an action for the Department. This is about the youth giving representation and having a stand on matters directly affecting us, the learners,” newly-elected PYC Lead Youth Convenor Jamber Alexis J. Idulsa said.
Elected Regional Convenors discussed to Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones their recommendations and amendments for youth-oriented initiatives of the Department, emphasizing the prioritization of the well-being and welfare of the students, and ensuring research-based, data-driven, and needs-based responses to the needs of the youth, and the continuous delivery of quality, accessible, and inclusive education anchored on the truth.
They also urged the Department, including the government, the private sector, and the media, to continue to commit to helping build the future of the Filipino learners, by providing firm, unbiased, and moral guidance in utilizing platforms in youth engagement, and to commit to an effective and efficient system founded on accountability, integrity, and the truth.
Secretary Briones welcomed the recommendation of the youth leaders, noting that listening to the youth will help the education sector achieve quality and inclusive education, and emphasized that education is a responsibility of every individual.
“The education challenges are the reason why we need to listen to the youth, to listen to their views, to listen even to their wrath. The Department will take a closer look at your program and your presentation, and we will find out what can be done as soon as possible and find out what will take a law to address these concerns,” the Education Chief said.
Briones, though, stressed that some of the concerns included in the Agenda were already being addressed by the Department.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Youth Affairs and Special Concerns Juan Valeriano Respicio IV called on the youth to action, noting that the passion, dedication, and intelligence the delegates demonstrated throughout the convergence makes him confident of the future. He however noted that the development of the Youth Education Agenda does not end there.
“Your continued involvement will be a prerequisite. Continue raising your voice. Continue asserting yourself. Continue being yourself and affirming to the world that you matter. Be resolute in taking your seat at the table and for you to belong to the conversation. Your concerns should take precedence. Your concerns should be at the heart of policy,” Assistant Secretary Respicio said.
