- President Marcos establishes the Education and Workforce Development Group to strengthen the country’s education and workforce systems.
- The EWDG will develop a 10-year strategy to align education and workforce programs with global economic demands.
- The group will review interagency bodies, streamline functions, oversee programs, and may form technical working groups, with full support from government and private sectors.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an administrative order to create the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG), aiming to tackle challenges in the country’s education sector and develop a stronger, more integrated school system.
Signed on August 13 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as Administrative Order No. 36, the EWDG will be chaired by the President, with the Education Secretary serving as co-chairperson and the Labor and Employment Secretary as vice chairperson. Members will include leaders from the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
According to the order, the EWDG will act as the central coordinating body for all matters related to education and workforce development in the Philippines. Its primary task is to formulate a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan, which will guide government agencies in aligning education and workforce systems with the changing demands of the global economy.
The group will also review existing interagency bodies working on education and workforce issues, recommend ways to streamline their functions, and oversee the implementation of related government programs, activities, and projects. Additionally, the EWDG may form technical working groups to provide support and carry out tasks assigned by the President or Executive Secretary.
“All concerned national government agencies are hereby directed, and all local government units and the private sector are encouraged, to render full support and cooperation with the EWDG to ensure effective implementation”, the order stated.
Also Read: Pakistan Students Eye China's New K Visa for Science Careers
Funding for the EWDG’s initiatives will come from the current budgets of its member agencies and other sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management, following all relevant budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations.
With this initiative, the Marcos administration aims to strengthen the country’s education system, improve workforce readiness, and create a cohesive strategy to prepare Filipinos for future economic opportunities
