THE Department of Education (DepEd) has launched the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP) 2025–2035, following President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s renewed call to improve the education sector in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (Sona).
During the launch on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the QBEDP 2025–2035 is a national commitment that aims to overhaul the country’s education system to deliver quality education to every Filipino learner.
“The Quality Basic Education Development Plan is not just a document. It is a promise. Isang pangako na sa biyaheng ito, walang maiiwan. Lahat ay makakasakay,” Angara said.
(A promise that on this journey, no one will be left behind. Everyone will be on board.)
“Ito ay panata, hindi lamang ng DepEd, kundi ng buong sambayanan, na ihatid ang bawat batang Pilipino sa kaalaman at sa kinabukasan,” he added.
(This is a vow not only of DepEd, but of the entire nation, to lead every Filipino child toward knowledge and a better future.)
The QBEDP takes a bold, long-term approach to improving learning outcomes nationwide, focusing on three key levers: decentralization, digitalization, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
It aims to address persistent challenges in the education sector, such as outdated curricula, teacher overload, poor infrastructure, and subpar learning outcomes.
Under the plan, five main reform pillars were identified: teachers, learners, governance, learning quality, and employability.
Strategic initiatives have been outlined for each pillar.
Angara emphasized the urgent need for decentralization, which would empower local school heads to make decisions independently, as they are more familiar with the unique circumstances of their respective areas.
He said PPPs will help accelerate efforts to improve the education system, particularly as the government targets the construction of 40,000 new classrooms, the provision of laptops for all teachers, and improved nationwide internet connectivity.
During his fourth Sona on Monday, July 28, Marcos committed to supporting infrastructure programs in the education sector amid widespread classroom shortages across the country.
Angara previously said the country lacks around 165,000 classrooms, forcing schools to implement shifting schedules or hybrid learning arrangements to accommodate students.
He added that it could take around 30 years to address the classroom shortage at the current budget level.
Other education officials, however, estimate it may take up to 55 years to fully eliminate the backlog in classroom construction.
In the past three years under the current administration, 22,000 classrooms have already been built.
“Katuwang ng pribadong sektor, sisikapin nating madagdagan pa ng apatnapung libong silid-aralan bago matapos ang ating Administrasyon.
Maglalaan tayo ng sapat na pondo para rito. Alang-alang sa ating mga mag-aaral, hihilingin ko ang buong suporta ng ating Kongreso,” Marcos said in his Sona.
(With the help of the private sector, we will strive to add 40,000 more classrooms before the end of our administration. We will allocate sufficient funds for this. For the sake of our students, I will ask for the full support of Congress.)
Angara also stressed the vital role of digitalization in ensuring modernity, fairness, and inclusivity amid rapid global technological advancements.
In his Sona, Marcos vowed to ensure accessible internet connection for all public schools nationwide by the end of 2025.
He noted that at least 12,000 public schools still lack internet connectivity, which he described as a vital tool for building a more connected, inclusive, and future-ready nation.
Marcos also said laptops have been provided to public school teachers.
He assured the continued hiring of both teaching and non-teaching personnel, reiterating that education remains a top priority for the government. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)