PBEd Pushes for Decentralization to Tackle Learning Crisis in Philippines

The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) is strongly advocating for greater decentralization of education governance to address the country’s persistent learning crisis. The organization convened a forum bringing together education leaders, local government practitioners, and experts to explore how granting more authority to local communities could tackle this issue. PBEd President Chito B. Salazar pointed out that the current highly centralized education system struggles to respond promptly to the varied needs of schools and communities across the nation. He stated that a one-size-fits-all policy or program cannot address the reality that the challenges faced by a school in Metro Manila differ significantly from those in an island municipality, an agricultural community, or a geographically isolated area. Salazar explained that decentralization should go beyond simply transferring responsibilities from the national government to local governments. It involves defining how many layers stand between a school and the decisions affecting its learners, who is accountable, and how decisions are made. Under the proposed approach, the national government would continue to set standards, ensure equity, advise schools needing support, fund national priorities, and maintain accountability. Simultaneously, local leaders, school divisions, education boards, communities, and parents would be granted greater authority to respond to local educational needs. Reynaldo Antonio Laguda, an education governance adviser on decentralization at The Asia Foundation, noted that the current system leaves approximately 48,000 public schools and around 12,000 private schools dependent on an "overstretched pipeline running through the center." He stated that with all decisions flowing through the center, schools wait, funds arrive late, decision-making is slow, and there is little to no room for local innovation. Laguda proposed that decentralization should involve three channels: deconcentration of authority within the Department of Education (DepEd), devolution of authority or functions to local government units (LGUs), and stronger public-private partnerships. PBEd has outlined a three-phase decentralization roadmap spanning from 2026 to 2035. The first phase (2026-2028) will focus on strengthening governance and launching pilot "sandboxes" to test greater local government participation. The second phase (2029-2031) will concentrate on scaling validated models and expanding school-level autonomy. The ultimate goal by 2035 is for the central office to focus more on national policy and standards, with decisions made closer to schools and communities. PBEd President Salazar emphasized that the private sector's active involvement is crucial for this reform. He stated that businesses should not merely tell the government what to do but must also participate through local partnerships, resource support, workforce information, support for schools and communities, and a willingness to stay engaged long enough for reforms to work. He concluded that the ultimate objective of decentralization is not mere organizational restructuring but achieving better outcomes for learners. Source: BusinessWorld Nation