MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment Monday to invest in the country’s educational sector and its young learners to make the Philippine education system at par with other nations.

Speaking during the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Basic Education Report (BER) 2023, President Marcos promised to build infrastructure that will provide learners, teachers and the entire academic sector with a healthy and safe environment that is conducive to learning.

The President vowed to invest in Filipino teachers who, he said, are part of improving the Philippine educational system, adding he is already planning on how to get the school building program off the ground to address deficiencies.

“Our teachers are there because it is a vocation. Teachers do not become teachers because it is their job. Teachers do not become teachers because they want to become rich. Teachers become teachers because they have to. It is a vocation,” the chief executive said.

“And it is up to us to support them in that effort because they feel the need to educate young people. And we are blessed that we have such teachers and we should hold them close and do all we can to support them so that they can do, to the best of their ability, what they have pledged to do,'' President Marcos said.

Aside from those efforts, the President said the government will offer teachers multiple opportunities to meet their personal and professional needs so that they can effectively perform their roles as teachers and mentors.

The administration will also invest in young learners by giving them the right tools and mechanisms in their day-to-day schooling, Marcos said, as he encouraged educators to adopt new technologies and innovations that will aid learners in their pursuit of learning.

To instill the value of hard work and patriotism in young citizens, he encouraged Filipinos to embrace the DepEd’s theme: “Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa.”

And as the government comes up with a long-term vision and forward-thinking solutions for the education sector, President Marcos emphasized that the government cannot execute the task alone.

“As I said earlier, strengthening our education system warrants the support of each one of us present here today. All of us have roles to play, we have parts to contribute,” the President said.

“And so let me issue a challenge to you all to become active key players in this effort. Let us join hands and act in unison as we build the best education system that the Philippines has ever seen,” President Marcos said.

Vice-President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte led the presentation of BER 2023. Joining the President and Vice-President in the event were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo and members of the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps. (PND)