- DepEd, CHEd, and TESDA have signed an agreement to launch a unified learner data tracking system, ending fragmented education databases in the Philippines.
- The system will allow seamless monitoring of student progress across basic, higher, and technical education, boosting policy-making, scholarship programs, and job alignment.
- Set to pilot in 2026 and go live in 2027, the initiative aims to improve learner outcomes, increase employability, and create a more connected and responsive education system.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have signed an agreement to create a consolidated learner data tracking system, which is looking to end the age-old problem of the fragmented education databases in the Philippines.
This pioneering move was formalized by the signing of a memorandum of understanding among Education Secretary Sonny Angara, CHEd Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, and TESDA Director-General Kiko Benitez during the inaugural joint management committee conference in Clark, Pampanga. The Philippine education system has long suffered from data management in silos, wherein every agency had its own learner information system.
DepEd makes use of the Learner Reference Number (LRN), whereas TESDA runs the Unique Learner Identifier (ULI). CHEd, however, employs its own tracking tools for higher education students. This has created problems in monitoring the full educational path of a student, particularly those who shift between basic education, college, and technical-vocational training. The absence of interoperability between these systems restricts the government from measuring learner outcomes, formulating education policies effectively, and creating responsive programs.
The integrated data tracking system is a response to suggestions in the Year One report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), which noted the imperative necessity of consolidating different education data systems. Secretary Angara underscored that this initiative is not just a question of getting numbers or technical platforms to match but is primarily one of empowering learners. Having a holistic perspective of every student's learning journey, policymakers and teachers can spot trouble spots, customize support mechanisms, and leave no learner behind. He highlighted that this step marks a revolution of a vital diagnosis into resolute, substantive reform.
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TESDA Director-General Benitez also emphasized the significance of this integrated system in closing the long-standing gap between education and job opportunities. With a central data infrastructure, schools will be able to gain clearer understandings of students' skills and experiences, allowing for more effective direction towards technical and vocational courses relevant to labor market needs. This would lead to increased employability and improved career prospects for graduates, particularly in talent-scarce sectors.
CHEd Chairperson Agrupis underscored the potential of the integrated system to enhance scholarship programs, streamline enrollment processes, and match degree offerings with present and future industry demands. She mentioned that access to accurate and complete data will permit strategic academic planning and quality assurance throughout the higher education sector.
The new learner data tracking system will be piloted in 2026 and become fully operational by 2027. This serves as a major milestone towards a more connected, responsive, and learner-focused education system for the Philippines.
