An organization composed of over 1,500 Catholic and private schools in the country, is counting on presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte to prioritize the crisis facing the education sector caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

According to Alan Arellano, executive director of Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), said they expect the next secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) to help solve problems in the sector.

“Her (Sara) popularity may be an asset to influence the young people to be better Filipinos. If indeed she will be the one to run the department. We hope that she could address the education crisis we are facing,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

“In the days to come, she may be consulting the education stakeholders. We are willing to be part of that process,” Arellano added.

Earlier, presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Duterte, his tandem in the just-concluded May 9 polls, as the next DepEd Secretary.

The CEAP official expressed readiness to assist in the formulation of policies in case the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is implemented, although Duterte has denied the promotion of the mandatory ROTC.

“If this becomes part of the curriculum, we will help formulate the appropriate values that young people should learn to be godly, patriotic, humane, and environmentally friendly,” Arellano said.

On fears of various religious and youth groups that the next administration will delete the record and official data on Martial Law, Arellano vowed that Catholic and private schools will continue to teach young people the truth and provide a lesson that will strengthen a student’s judgment to always choose what is right.

CEAP has more than 1,600 member institutions from the education sector. (PNA)