The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) has urged the government to insulate education governance from political cycles, citing the need for continuity in reforms and addressing persistent challenges in the education sector.
According to PBEd Chairman Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., the leaders of government education agencies are often replaced after a short period, disrupting the momentum of reforms. He emphasized the importance of insulating education governance from political cycles to attract the best minds and ensure stability in policy-making.
Del Rosario drew inspiration from the structure of the country's central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which is generally left alone to create policies. He noted that the BSP governor and monetary board are responsible for developing monetary policies, free from political interference.
The proposal aims to eliminate political initiatives behind education leaders and their reforms, allowing a professional organization of experts to take the lead with a long-term view. Del Rosario emphasized that this would be particularly beneficial in addressing systemic challenges in the education sector, such as functional illiteracy, which has almost doubled from 14.5 million in 1991 to 24.8 million in 2025.
The group plans to discuss the proposal with government officials tomorrow, with Del Rosario expressing hope for an open-minded reaction. He acknowledged that the idea may be met with skepticism, but believes it is a necessary step towards improving the education sector.
