‘Education system must keep pace with tech changes’

MANILA, Philippines — Business group Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI) underscored the need for an education system that is capable of adapting to rapid changes brought by technology, in a bid to prepare the country’s future workforce.

“Our educational system should be able to keep up with the rapid advances in technology and innovation for us to create a future of skilled and technology-savvy workforce,” PCCI president George Barcelon said in a statement yesterday.

“We need to review and upgrade our competencies and skill sets to be able to compete with neighbors in the region,” he said.

In line with this, Barcelon said a session at the upcoming Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E) will discuss the policies that need to be crafted to provide safety nets to those affected by the upskilling and reskilling revolution.

According to the PCCI, Second Congressional Education Commission co-chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian will lead the Education Forum: Shaping the Minds and Skills of the Future Leaders and Workforce of the PBC&E.

“The session will initiate discussions on the various ways the public and private sectors can contribute to shaping the future of earning and learning in the country,” the PCCI said.

PBC&E chairman Architect Felino Palafox Jr. emphasized that the future of education was vital in building a nation with fair opportunity at work, alleviating poverty and enhancing communities.

“Education is a long-term investment for the growth and prosperity of the country. There is an unmistakable correlation between access to quality education and economic and social progress” he said.

With the theme: Vision 2050: The Philippines, A First-world Economy, this year’s conference aims to discuss, analyze, and present actionable recommendations on the various issues that support the agenda of making the Philippines an industrialized country in 27 years.

According to a 2019 survey performed by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Philippines is slipping behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in reading, writing, and arithmetic. The impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic has only further exacerbated the country’s educational disparity.

“The abrupt shift to online learning disrupted the accessibility of education across the regions. The biggest obstacles stem from the inability to adapt to online learning owing to a lack of resources, as well as access to digital equipment and internet connectivity, particularly in remote regions. Given this, institutions and businesses must redesign, rethink, and invest in present and future workforce education and training,” the PCCI said.

The business group said it believes in the value of education in improving corporate productivity and profitability, which will improve the Philippine economy.

“The PCCI Education Committee and the PCCI Human Resources Development Foundation are working hard and continuously collaborating with the government and other private organizations to assist the Philippines in meeting the changing demands of the labor market,” Barcelon said.