Marcos calls on teachers to raise students who are critical thinkers, capable leaders

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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr on Wednesday called on teachers to raise students who are critical thinkers and competent leaders.

The President made the call during the National Teachers' Month celebration, saying teachers are irreplaceable, more so in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“When we speak of improving Philippine education, it is essential that we speak of supporting and strengthening the capabilities of the teachers who make learning possible. The most important part of our education system are the teachers. The tools you use may continue to change. Technology, AI will change how our children learn, but it cannot replace a teacher who guides them in deciding what is true, what is important and what is right,” Marcos said.

“I implore you to help shape learners to become critical thinkers who question, discern, make sound decisions and at the same time remaining compassionate and mindful of others. We want capable young Filipinos who will one day lead our communities, our institutions, our country and lead with wisdom, competence and with empathy,” he added.

Marcos said the least the government could do is continue to provide support for teachers, an initiative that has proven to have resulted in gains recently, with the Philippines posting its highest-ever mean scores in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in reading, mathematics, and science in 2025.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the country recorded mean scores of 373 in science, 371 in mathematics and 367 in reading—up 17 points, 16 points and 20 points, respectively, from its 2022 results.

“Today, we recognize those who are helping to raise that standard ever higher. We have done much already to change the course of Philippine education. I believe that we have made some progress, and the recent PISA result is solid proof. It validates what we are doing and that what we have started has an effect,” Marcos said.

“But of course, we all know much work still remains. There are still gaps in how our teachers are prepared and are developed. Some are assigned to subjects still that are outside their specialization. And while training does not always respond to the realities they face in the classroom, we will try to remedy that. Because teachers do more than just teach lessons. For many of our children, they become second parents in school helping create environments where learners feel safe, supported and cared for,” Marcos added.

The President said remedies would include strengthening school safety and student support together with parents, communities and other partners.

“We will continue to work to make our schools more secure, more responsive to the needs of our learners. At the same time, we continue to improve teacher preparation and professional development throughout your careers,” he said.

He cited the Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 and the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, among other initiatives.

“We want our teachers to have better preparation even before they enter the classroom to have meaningful opportunities to continue learning throughout their careers,” he said.

“Because we ask much from our teachers, we must also give much in return. So together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where our teachers are supported to do their best work and our learners are prepared to help shape the country's future,” he added. —VAL, GMA News