President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) as the government’s main coordinating body to address persistent problems in the country’s education sector, including weak teacher support, fragmented programs and inconsistent policies.

The EWDG was established through Administrative Order (AO) No. 36, signed by the President on Aug. 13 and made public Monday.

The new body will be chaired by the President, with the Education Secretary as co-chair and the Labor Secretary as vice-chair. Other members include the heads of the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority, Department of Migrant Workers, and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.

“It is necessary to establish an effective coordinating mechanism among agencies involved in education and workforce development to address long-standing concerns in the education sector, and foster a complete, adequate, and integrated education system in the country,” the order stated.

AO 36 cited the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which flagged fragmented implementation of programs, misaligned teacher development and inconsistent planning as among the key barriers to reform.

The EWDG is tasked to craft a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan, review existing inter-agency bodies, and assess legal and policy frameworks on education and workforce training.

It is also mandated to submit monthly performance reports to the President and the Executive Secretary, and may create technical working groups to support its mandate.

Malacañang said the creation of the EWDG is part of the administration’s broader push to align education reforms with labor market needs, ensure stronger teacher development and equip Filipino learners with skills for a competitive workforce. (PNA)