Teachers’ group urges government to go beyond reforms and address roots of education crisis

The group Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) held a press conference at Kamuning Bakery Cafe on June 1, urging the government to go beyond surface-level reforms and tackle the deep-seated issues behind the education crisis, according to BusinessWorld . The call comes ahead of the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year on June 8.

ASSERT noted that the problems plaguing the education sector remain unchanged year after year, including inadequate funding, lack of learning materials, and teacher shortages. The group emphasized that piecemeal reforms have failed to produce meaningful improvements, and that the government must address the structural causes of the crisis.

The teachers’ group called on the Department of Education and Congress to prioritize sustainable solutions, such as increasing the education budget, improving teacher welfare, and reducing classroom congestion. Without these fundamental changes, ASSERT warned, the education system will continue to fail Filipino students.