This World Teachers’ Day brings to mind the wonderful teachers that I have met – individuals who have transformed lives through their dedication and service. As I deepen my engagement in the Philippines, I am reminded of the enduring Australia-Philippines partnership on education, and our joint commitment to supporting teachers as key contributors to sustainable development and the future of our nations.
For more than three decades, education has been a central pillar of Australia’s development assistance to the Philippines. Australia’s support for education has evolved over that time – from an initial focus on building physical classrooms and teacher training, to supporting curriculum design and national policies and reforms, including Kindergarten to Grade 12 reforms. Now, as Strategic Partners, our development assistance is focused on partnerships and an exchange of knowledge, as we address shared challenges. While the nature of our support has changed over the years, Australia has consistently been a champion for teachers.
In my recent conversation with Secretary of Education Sonny Angara, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Kiko Benitez and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, I recognized a strong convergence of priorities. There is a unified vision to ensure education is adaptive and aligned with the evolving demands of the labor market.
Australia is closely collaborating with the Philippines on a new program to enhance senior high school education. Our new investment, Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP), will support economic development by helping ensure school leavers have the skills they will need for the job market. EQUIP aims to contribute to professional development for teachers, guidance counselors and school leaders. It will also help students to develop technical skills through industry exposure, work immersion programs and by gaining nationally recognized qualifications.
This commitment to education extends across the archipelago, including Muslim Mindanao. Through the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao, Australia is supporting the Philippines’ long-standing peacebuilding efforts by improving the delivery of quality education. I hold in high regard the vital role teachers play in advancing peace through education and I am eager to listen to their stories when I visit the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The personal connections nurtured through our education partnership is a key part of the bilateral relationship between Australia and the Philippines. Today, over 25,000 Filipino students are studying in Australia, making the Philippines the sixth largest source of international students. Filipino students have greatly enriched Australia’s community.
Through the Australia Awards program alone, more than 4,500 Filipino scholars have graduated since 2004 – many are now leading in various fields, including education. These alumni are driving progress across the Philippines, forming one of the region’s most vibrant networks. As living bridges between Australia and the Philippines, they bring values of innovation and inclusion to their work, creating lasting impact. Their achievements reflect the dedication of teachers who first sparked curiosity and helped shape the leaders of this generation and the next. I hope to meet more of them throughout my time in the Philippines.
To ensure Filipino students have the best possible experience in Australia and receive a world class education, Australia is introducing reforms. These reforms respond to misuse of the student visa system and seek to strengthen regulations for education providers and students in an effort to ensure the integrity and sustainability of a system that has long welcomed global learners. Filipino students are a vital part of this story and continue to be warmly received. Australia upholds a strong commitment to provide secure and supportive learning environment. Through this sustained relationship, Australia stands alongside the Philippines in advancing human capital development.
Education remains a cornerstone of the Australia-Philippines partnership, reflecting collective goals for inclusive growth and regional resilience. As we mark the final day of Teachers’ Month in the Philippines, we honor the teachers whose unwavering service enriches societies and fosters cross-cultural understanding. We also celebrate how education continues to deepen the long-established relationship between Australia and the Philippines. From classrooms in Mindanao to lecture halls in Canberra, teachers contribute to peace, stability and prosperity. I look forward to expanding these partnerships during my time in the Philippines, learning from Filipino teachers and witnessing how our shared commitment to education drives cooperation across both nations and the region.