NEWLY appointed Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday, a week before the 2024-2025 school year opening.

Angara replaced Vice President Sara Duterte, who filed her resignation as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, effective July 19.

"I'm extremely grateful to our President for entrusting me with this important task to lead a very important department. Mr. President, I know how much you value education, much as every Filipino family does," Angara said.

Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN Vice President Sara Duterte turns over the reins of the Department of Education to former senator Juan Edgardo Angara in a ceremony at the DepEd central office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

"I look forward to working very closely with you in the coming days and months for the needed reforms in our educational system for the benefit of our young learners, for the benefit of future generations, Mr. President," he added.

Marcos said Angara was the best choice for the post because he understands the many problems hounding the education sector.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and other officials, paint school chairs during the kick-off of 2024 Brigada Eskwela with the theme 'Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,' at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on July 20, 2024. Meanwhile, employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, with support from various civic groups, conduct their own Brigada Eskwela activities inside the Manuel G. Araullo High School at United Nations Avenue in Manila. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for school opening. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE AND MIKE ALQUINTO

"We are looking forward to many good things to come from this appointment. We have had some discussions before he took his oath to give ourselves a good idea of what we think needs to be done," Marcos said.

"And I know that Sonny (Angara) knows what is important, and I know that he knows how to get these things done and so I'm very, very optimistic for DepEd," he added.

Angara has championed significant educational reforms since joining the Senate in 2013.

He has impressive credentials, including a Master of Laws from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the London School of Economics.

Angara was one of the authors of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 and Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act.

The new DepEd chief has received the endorsements of key educational organizations, including the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities.

Angara is the son of the late senator Edgardo Angara, who had served as Senate president and University of the Philippines president.