Among the initiatives presented during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ‘s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) was his plans for the education sector. President Marcos Jr. backed up the Department of Education’s commitment to the resumption of 5 days of in-person classes, and was met with different reactions. According to him, he and Vice-President Sara Duterte are already preparing for its implementation in this coming school year. 

In his SONA, President Marcos Jr committed to put an end to the “horror stories” of poor educational materials by equipping students with the best the government can provide. He adds that the administration will not thrift on the country’s budget for the education system, allocating a budget for children to connect to the internet and have access to computers and educational tools. This includes aiming for better international rankings in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and forming skills and knowledge that are crucial for young people in the highly competitive and technological world. 

Teachers were also assured by providing them with refresher courses and re-trainings to adapt to the current educational landscape. While the plans are still yet to be fulfilled, our hope lies in what God will continue to do in the lives of our future leaders. 

Today, as we pray for our education system, let’s be reminded that the young people of this generation will be the future leaders of our nation. Let’s continue to speak blessings in their life and encourage them to pursue the purpose they have in Christ. Let us declare Acts 2:17, and be expectant to see how God will use this generation, and how He will be the one to grow and move in them.

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…” – Acts 2:17

We know that we can never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our youth. 

PRAYER POINTS

1. Pray for God’s refreshing spirit to be upon our students. Aside from the textbook lessons and in-person experiences with their teachers and classmates, may the students encounter God’s presence in the campuses.
2. Pray for the officials of DepEd and teachers as they lead and prepare for the in-person classes that will commence in the next few weeks. Let us declare that our educational system will continue to soar to new heights this school year through their leadership.
3. Pray for divine protection for the students, teachers, and school workers against COVID-19, dengue, violence and any other challenges that could arise.
4. Pray also for our campus ministry as we reach and disciple future leaders together. May the resumption of face-to-face classes provide open doors to bless the campuses and universities nationwide.

To learn more about the current situation in our nation, you can read the resources in the links below.

• DepEd releases guidelines for school year 2022-2023
• Step up preps for school opening, Marcos orders
• Dengue cases reported this year reached 73k
• Philippines’ daily COVID-19 infections rise by 44%
• 2,828 new COVID-19 cases recorded; active tally at 22,207
• Bongbong Marcos: Poor educational materials must end
• Marcos’ first Sona: ‘The state of the nation is sound’