Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro joined other Cabinet secretaries in a media seminar ordered by the President Benigno Aquino III on Monday.

The media-relations seminar aims to hone the skills of the Cabinet officials in public communication especially those who are first-time public servants.

“I immediately signed up for the first batch,” Luistro said.

The new education secretary, who hogged the headlines over his plan to review the sex education program, incurred the ire of the media after he called them a "nuisance" during an ambush interview after the turnover ceremonies at the education department on July 1.

DepEd beat reporters lambasted Luistro last week after he brushed aside a radio reporter’s question about the implementation of the controversial sex education module and curtly replied: "Wag ninyo akong tanungin, dahil kayong media hindi kayo nakakatulong. (Don’t ask me, because the media doesn’t help)."

He already apologized for calling the media a "nuisance" and admitted that his statement was "uncalled for." In an interview, Luistro said it was his fault because he was not prepared in facing the media, especially in answering questions during ambush interviews.

“Wala naman po akong intensyon na husgahan at pangaralan ko ang media. Umaapela po ako sa lahat na bigyan lang po ako ng kunting panahon, (I don’t have any intention of judging the media and I’m appealing for everyone to give me more time)," he said.

He admitted that he could have said it in a better way. “That can be considered something like a first day jitters. Given time, I will be able to bring across my messages more clearly,” Luistro said.

Luistro also admitted that it was a learning process for him and to ensure that such an incident would not happen again in the future, he will hold a dialogue with print and broadcast reporters covering the DepEd beat.

Meanwhile, Luistro asked his colleagues and the public to give him time to absorb all there is to know about DepEd. “Any prudent educator will need to observe, look around, and listen,” he said.