DECS stands for Department of Education, Culture, and Sports, which was the former name of the Philippine education department. Several changes and reorganizations have been made to the department, and it is now known as the Department of Education (DepEd). Synonyms for DECS include the Philippine Education Department, Education Ministry, Education Bureau, Education Authority, and Education Agency. These synonyms highlight the department's role in managing and promoting education, culture, and sports in the Philippines. Although the department has gone through different names, its primary objective remains the same: to provide quality education and foster a culture of learning in the country.