The deterioration of education in the Philippines
The development of Philippines education has been heavily influenced by its colonial history which has included periods of Spanish , American and Japanese occupations . During the period of American colonization beginning in 1898 , English was instituted as the language of instruction , and a public school system was established and administered by a Department of Instruction and modeled on the US System. The Thomasites were the first American teachers . They taught the Filipinos how to speak well in English. But they did not stay long here in the Philippines. In this period a number of colleges and University of the Philippines was chartered as the first national comprehensive public university . Primary education up to grade seven was funded by the government free for all. Also during this period private colleges and universities were established all over the country.
The United States has left the largest imprint on the Philippines education system for decades and continues to influence it indirectly through the large number of academic staff who have earned graduate degrees from the US universities.
Because of this , and for a long time , the Philippines has been considered as the leader in education in South Asia region . By 1870 , the country had achieved universal primary enrollment . These successes , however , masked a long-term deterioration in quality , and the national figures obscured wide regional differences . In Manila close to 100 percent of students finished primary school , whereas Mindanao and Eastern Visayas less than 30 percent of student finished primary .
A recent study showed that scores of Filipino children between 9 and 14 were two standard deviations below the international mean in mathematics , sciences and reading.
Experts suggested several factors in this deterioration . They cited that Philippine education is one of the shortest in the world. The educational ladder has a 6+4+4 structure (six years elementary , four in secondary and usually four to gain a bachelor degree).
There is also a confusion in English and Filipino as languages for instruction. Communication of many student became a mixture of Tagalog and English words called Taglish. For the purists this is a tragedy!
Aside from this, another reason is economic in nature aided by corruption in the government. To save money , they agency once came up with a solution: the mass promotion of pupils in elementary when teachers were made to make beautiful lesson plans and perfect reports to satisfy school heads who in turn submit these to the higher authorities in the division, regional and central offices. These reports were able to whitewash and hide the problem. What can these teachers do? Kill themselves in producing these lesson plans and nice reports and teach the students at the same time? It takes many hours in producing one very nice and detailed lesson as well as make the necessary visual aids. Most of the time, the poor elementary teachers would sit down and write while letting the pupils copy the lessons on the board. They have no more time in explaining the lessons to the pupils. And the problem is like an avalanche or a landslide on the mountains which starts with smallest problem at the top rushing down to the bottom. The top being the elementary level.
Another big factor is poverty . Many Filipinos in poor areas can hardly send their children to school because they have no money to buy school requirements such us uniforms, notebooks, papers, and writing materials as well as the many projects in all subject areas. Instead of going to school, as they should, these children are forced to work to help in the family finances.
One factor that helps pull down the quality of our education is too much politics. Every time there is a new government, plum positions like heads of agencies to cronies or loyal friends even if they are not qualified to hold such positions. The Department of Education is not an exception to this. How many secretaries or formerly ministers, undersecretaries and regional heads create projects, programs or reforms just to get percentages in the deals. Sometimes they invent ‘ghost’ projects were filled up with recommendees of politicians. Even the ordinary school teacher positions are given to the friends and family of the local politicians. Even if these are not qualified to take those positions. The ultimate victims are the students.
Lastly, lately there is a brain-drain in our country because of very low salaries and benefits for teachers. Many good teachers are lured to go abroad and work as domestic helpers to earn better salaries for their families. Who can blame them? They have children to feed and to send to better school. If only the government would not engage too much in politics and do everything to hang on to power , if only it is sincere in its concern for every Filipino , it will implement better reforms to ensure progress for everyone and not just for a few.
(The author is Head of Social Studies Department, Ramon Avanceña National High School, Yulo Drive, Arevalo, Iloilo City.)
