SAN JUAN CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday told graduates of Montessori de San Juan not to forget the people whose sacrifices contributed to their success.

In her commencement speech, the Vice President told the graduates to thank parents, teachers, friends, and everyone who plays essential roles in their lives.

“I would like to remind our graduates — do not forget to thank the people who have helped you achieve what you have achieved today,” she said.

Duterte, who is also the Education Secretary, was the speaker in the commencement exercise and moving up ceremony of Grades 6 and 12 students of the Montessori de San Juan.

The Vice President also encouraged students not to forget to have fun while pursuing academic excellence.

“I want to remind you, as you enter high school, that you should be champions in two things: one, you should be champions in having fun. Pangalawa, you should be champions in making sure that you are doing good in school. Matuto kayong maging masaya habang kayo ay pumapasok at nag-aaral,” she told the Grade 6 graduates.

“Make sure that you choose a course or a field that you are happy about,” she said to Grade 12 finishers.

She also told students to pursue higher education as it ensures the realization of their dream professions.

Underscoring the obstacles in education that might challenge one to succeed, Duterte shared her experience from visiting two schools affected by the oil spill in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, and the difficulty of students coming to school due to various circumstances.

“Kami sa Department of Education have been thinking of many ways to make sure na kahit nagtatrabaho yung bata — grade school, high school nagtatrabaho yung bata — we make it possible for them na makapasok sa eskwela,” she said, adding that there are options like blended learning for students to cope with discussions or the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

“These are just some of the realities facing the Department of Education. They are problems that we are solving through various government interventions and programs with the help of education stakeholders and local government units,” she added.

The MATATAG agenda of the department, Duterte said, is their thrust to make every learner successful and hone them to be counterparts of national development.

“Through inclusive, quality basic education, we envision nurturing resilient mindsets and honing young Filipinos to have the capacity to thrive in challenging circumstances,” she said.

OVP MEDIA