The Secretary of Education (Filipino: Kalihim ng Edukasyon) is a member of the Cabinet of the Philippines in charge of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The current secretary is Sonny Angara, who was sworn in on July 19, 2024.
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Powers, duties, and functions
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the secretary exercises supervision and control over the entire department and performs the following functions:
Advises the president on matters related to education.
Establishes the policies and standards for the operation of the department pursuant to the approved programs of the government.
Promulgates rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies, functions, plans, programs, and projects of the department.
Promulgates issuances necessary for the efficient administration of the offices under him and the proper implementations of laws relative to education.
Exercises disciplinary powers over officials and employees in accordance with existing laws.
Formulates and enforces a management control system to measure and evaluate the performance of the department and submits periodic reports to the President.
Prepares and submits to the president through the Department of Budget and Management the budget of the department.
Appoints all officers and employees of the department except those whose appointment is vested in the president.
List
Secretary of Public Instruction, Health and Welfare (1941–1944)
President Manuel L. Quezon issued Executive Order No. 396 on December 24, 1941, reorganizing the Department of Public Instruction as the Department of Public Instruction, Health and Welfare.
Minister of Education (1944–1945)
President Jose P. Laurel issued Executive Order No. 24 on December 31, 1943, creating the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Education, Health, and Public Welfare as of January 1, 1944.
Secretary of Instruction and Information (1945–1947)
President Sergio Osmeña issued Executive Order No. 27 on February 27, 1945, abolishing the Department of Information and Public Relations and creating the Department of Instruction and Information.
Secretary of Education (1947–1972)
President Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order No. 94 on October 4, 1947, reorganizing the Department of Instruction and Information as the Department of Education as of July 1, 1947.
Minister of Education and Culture (1978–1982)
President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1397 on June 2, 1978, converting all departments into ministries headed by ministers.
Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports (1987–2001)
President Corazon Aquino issued Administrative Order No. 15 on February 11, 1987, converting all ministries into departments headed by secretaries.