University of Santo Tomas, Manila
28 February 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivered a keynote speech before educators, members of different academic institutions and students during the 4th National Congress of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) held at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
In line with the theme, “Reforming Philippine Education: Issues, Challenges and Solutions,” the President mentioned some government programs including the K+12 of the Dept. of Education and Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) that will improve the education system in the country, and offer global competitive opportunity to every Filipino graduate. He said, “…the state endeavours to produce quality graduates that will be ready to face the challenges of the future.”
President Aquino articulated his desire of every Filipino grabbing the chance to obtain better quality education through his administration.
“Hopefully they will seize this opportunity, they will be able to rise beyond that which the generations that came before them have been able to achieve and this will be the key to not just having the transformation we are seeking today but rather in institutionalizing the changes that we are seeking to bring to our country and our society by having an empowered citizenry who have taken advantage of the opportunities provided to them by government,” he said.
The Chief Executive was accompanied by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Patricia Licuanan, University of Santo Tomas Rector Rev. Fr. Rolando Dela Rosa, O.P., and COCOPEA Chairman Jose Paulo Campos.
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