The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) commended the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for signing an agreement to establish a unified data system that will track Filipino learners from their first day in school until they join the workforce.
The pact, signed during the agencies’ first Joint Management Committee Meeting, answers EDCOM 2’s call for stronger data convergence to address the long-standing fragmentation in the education sector.
“For too long, our view of a student’s journey has been fragmented. We are finally seeing the complete picture — from their first day in kindergarten to their entry into the workforce,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said.
Angara stressed that the system will help policymakers identify gaps in learning pathways and provide timely interventions.
TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez described the initiative as a “game-changer” for workforce preparation.
“By understanding a learner’s background, we can better guide them into technical-vocational tracks that lead directly to in-demand jobs,” he said.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis added that the system will refine scholarship programs, improve enrolment projections, and keep degree offerings relevant.
The interoperable system will adopt DepEd’s Learner Reference Number (LRN) as the unique identifier for students across all education levels. It will also enhance targeting of government programs such as the 4Ps and the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, while ensuring accurate enrolment projections for state universities and colleges.
Pilot implementation is set for 2026, with full rollout targeted by 2027. The project will also involve coordination with agencies such as the DICT, DOLE, DSWD, and PSA to align with broader national development goals.