For our final reflection, I would like to share this questionnaire that a colleague made me answer for a survey/interview assignment of her senior high school niece studying in a private school – the subject is Social Studies.  I treasured these questions first of all because I’m glad that they ask questions like these in high school.  I believe teachers should be asking more of questions like these to encourage critical thinking among our youth.  I also treasured my answers here because I did it trying to be reflective of some of the issues we have been talking about in school regarding quality of education.

For me these are the questions that each one should ask himself especially the future educators (like us).  We should not be just standing around doing nothing but in our own little way be involved and take part in rebuilding our educational system.

Following are the three questions, together with my answer.

  1. 1. What do you think is our country’s current standing when it comes to education? Do you think it is competent enough compared with other countries or do you think it is lacking and needs improvement? If you think that it is lacking in some way, what can you suggest to help it become competent again?

Based on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study’s (TIMSS) previous results (1995, 1999 and 2003) our country is lagging behind its neighboring Asian countries.  In the 1995 TIMSS, we ranked 39th in Math and 41st in Science out of 42 participating countries.  In 1999, we ranked third to the last for both Math and Science.  In 2003 TIMSS, there were two (2) categories: Grade 4 or 9-yr-old and Grade 8 or 13-yr-old.  For 9-yr-old we ranked 23rd among 25 participating countries both for Math and Science.  For the 13-yr-old, we ranked 41st in Math and 42nd in Science among 42 participants.  In 2007 TIMSS (take note), we did not join.

We are always on the lowest among other countries such as Ghana, Botswana, Qatar, El Salvador, Tunisia, Morocco, etc.  And who are among the highest?  Singapore, China, Japan, Hongkong, Korea and in the most recent TIMSS, Kazakhstan! We are left behind by our Asian neighbors mile by mile.

According to what I’ve read, these results did not come as a surprise to officials of the Department of Education (DepED).  Read on…

“According to DepED’s National Educational Testing and Research Center Director Dr. Nelia Benito, the results validated the findings of the recent national achievement tests they have administered to elementary and high school students. Their own tests revealed that elementary and high school students found it difficult to understand basic scientific concepts, do inferences, classify biological and physical matter, and solve scientific problems. Dr. Benito also said that even if the students were capable of understanding basic mathematical principles, it was difficult for them to apply these in proving, analyzing, and comprehending data on algebra, geometry, and statistics.”

Obviously, WE ARE NOT COMPETENT enough compared with other countries.  We already know the problem and yet we are not doing anything about.  It does not need improvement only, it needs OVERHAUL.

To make it competent again, first and foremost, we must admit that we have failed in the area of education. And then let us study how other countries did it.  For example, how did Singapore make it to the top?  What are the teaching strategies, techniques, or methods they have employed and they have proven to be effective?  Actually there were already numerous studies done in other countries and even here in the Philippines but our government is always in the business of politicking, thus, it is unable to focus on the long standing issues of our educational system.  We have so much time and resources to offer in politicking and self serving agendas but we have ignored the impact we are creating in other aspects of our society – particularly the students or the young people of our next generation.

There’s so many things that we can do to improve our educational system but our government need a strong political will to implement it.

According to a news item last January 20, 2010 in Philippine Daily Inquirer, United Nation was quoted as saying…

“Education indicators for the Philippines are below what might be expected for a country of its income level … With an average income four times that of [African countries] Tanzania and Zambia, it has a lower net enrollment ratio.”  “The unfavorable comparison does not end there. Whereas Tanzania and Zambia have steadily increasing net enrollment ratios, the Philippines has stagnated.”

Some of the problems of Philippine education enumerated in the 2010 Education For All Global Monitoring Report are the following:

  1. Problems of deeply entrenched marginalization

“In the Philippines, marginalization is strongly associated with poverty and location, with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and some outlying islands falling far behind,” the GMR said.

  1. Low share of national income invested in education (2.1 % of our national income directed to education in 2005 goals – it’s one of the lowest levels in the world)
  2. Extreme poverty and regional disparities

The report noted that the gap separating the poorest 20 percent of Filipinos from the rest of society was “far wider than in most countries in the region.”
Data on school attendance provide evidence that current policies are not reaching the poorest,” the GMR said

  1. Chronic shortages of teachers and classrooms, rising class sizes, and low levels of learning achievement

Addressing these problems will require an increase in the 2.1 percent share of national income directed towards education in 2005—one of the lowest levels in the world,” it added.

If we could address all of the above mentioned problems, which are all physiological-socio-cultural concerns, then, at least we could say that we are close to achieving our goals. We could then focus on the learning achievements alone – the cognitive aspect.  We will be able to lessen drop out cases because children will no longer think of what they are going to eat at home and what they are going to wear when they come to school.  They will just think of what they are studying in school.

Curriculum must also be reviewed and carefully studied for the lessons to be appropriate and relevant to young learners’ situations.

Another thing, lessons must be taught or delivered in the local language of the learners.  This way, they would easily grasp the concepts being taught and be able to express their ideas with more articulation – in their native tongue. Unlike when the second language (like English) is introduced early (Grades 1 – 3), these kids would be thinking of the lesson and then translate into the 2nd language in their minds before they could come up with something to say.  Instead of focusing on the concept alone, they must also focus at the same time in the language.  The introduction of 2nd and/or 3rd language should be gradual – that is after the student has gained mastery in his native language (ex. Filipino or other vernaculars) – then learning of 2nd and 3rd language would be easier for the students.  We Filipinos are known to be English language speakers and according to statistics, Philippines is among the largest English speaking country in the world.  But what do we accomplished with that? We have become a pool of call centers agents for the whole world, if you could regard that as an accomplishment.  Haven’t we notice what is common among the countries leading in the TIMSS worldwide?  Singapore, China, Japan, Hongkong, Korea – these are all Asian countries and these are people who are not good in speaking in English; in fact, they love their language that’s why they use and propagate it.  Another matter of fact, Koreans flock to the Philippines to learn English (it is cheaper here than going to US, isn’t it?).  That’s something obvious, why can’t we see that?

  1. 2. Isn’t it that the more graduates per year, the more people will be out finding jobs? Won’t that just lead to more unemployment?

In the CURRENT STATE of our education, YES, more graduates will lead to more unemployment.  Why?  It’s because there is a mismatch of our graduates with the available jobs or occupation.  Our country is rich in natural resources, everyone is saying that – but I’m not sure if everyone understands that.  The primary source of livelihood in our country, if we take to heart my previous statement, should be agriculture.  But do we see enough Agricultural School in our country?  Have our government succeeded in encouraging the young people to take up courses that would contribute to the national development and economic recovery? Or have they succeeded to encourage our young people to study courses that are well paid abroad?  Even our teachers, who should be investing in the young minds of our next generation, are also lured to go to West and serve the people of other nation. What a sad fact! No one wants to be part of nation building simply because it is really a sacrifice to stay behind and serve your fellow countrymen here in the Philippines.  It really takes a lot of passion, purpose-driven spirit, love for country, and love for God – just like what it takes to be a teacher, in its real sense.

  1. 3. Do you think our country can still hope to achieve an education system that can rival that of other successful countries? Why and why not?

YES, of course. Like what I’ve said earlier, our country is rich in natural resources, therefore, economic recovery is not remote. Our main problem is the worsening condition of our morality. With a right mind and heart, we would know what we should be prioritizing. Those that would benefit our country and our people in the long run – education – I believe we must focus on the development of our people because it’s the people who is the strength and main resource of a nation.

-Nimfa C. Vizcarra

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