Education concerns

The new congressional commission chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara, after a recent evaluation, found that the problems in the educational system that were identified 15 years ago still persist but have even gotten worse. We remember that way back in 1994, among the accomplishments of then Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) to introduce reforms in the educational system was the establishment of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This governing body covered both public and private higher education institutions and provided degree-granting programs in all tertiary educational institutions in the Philippines. It was thought that tertiary and graduate schools were not producing skilled graduates that match the needs of the various emerging industries then. Manpower was found unprepared and wanting with the relevant skills to develop the economy. And this was why the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was also created to give separate focus for the rationalization of technical-vocational and middle level education.

Various reports have constantly raised the concern about the declining quality of Philippine education and how this has become a crisis. This only means that the reforms that were introduced were not successfully carried out. In discussing the education crisis, we must separate the problem of the deteriorating quality of education and the lack of access to education.

Certain indicators of the declining quality of education include the high mortality rate of high school graduates entering college, the inability of college graduates to gain employment and the failure of students to pass several national tests like the NEAT and NSAT and various licensure examinations for professionals. Among many factors, the poor performance of students results from a weak proficiency and learning competency in English, Mathematics and Science, as shown, for instance, by diagnostic tests given by the Department of Education in 2002, where only 30 percent of Grade 6 students had mastered their expected competencies in the same subjects. An international test called Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) also shows that students do not learn what they are supposed to in schools. The result of the TIMMS test in 2003 ranked the Philippines 42nd in science and 41st in mathematics among 45 countries for Grade 8 students. An Asiaweek survey of 77 best universities in 2000 ranked the country’s premier state university, the University of the Philippines 48th, while three top private universities ranked only 71st, 72nd, and 74th.

On the other hand, the problem of the lack of access to education and illiteracy must be studied based on an accurate population statistics report. The ongoing population census and survey must take this problem into account with the primary objective of providing local government units with the correct data so that an efficient allocation of resources and budget can be made. As long as the need is greater than the available resources, education remains to be an economic problem that must be strategically addressed.

A limiting factor to making education more accessible is the increasing rate of tuition fees. When the CHED was established, Centers of Excellence (COE) were identified among higher education institutions (HEIs). These HEIs were granted autonomy and deregulated status, meaning they are allowed to increase tuition fees every year. Students who cannot afford can apply in state colleges and universities, however, these institutions also have limited slots.

The education problem is a broad issue but as is common to other countries, the educational system must be focused on its relationship to economic development. If we look at results, beyond the perennial problem of textbooks, classrooms and teachers, we also read of thousands of Filipinos who have excelled in various fields of interests here and abroad. We note the growing number of small and medium enterprises here and demand for Filipino workers in different fields abroad, to name a few. We only have to look around and think positive.