PH education system in urgent need of strategic recalibration – lawmaker
Co stressed that it is not just about teaching literacy. Rather, it is also about equipping students with essential problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Photo from Canva.
Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Elizaldy Co called for immediate reforms in the Philippine education system to better prepare Filipino students for future challenges.
Co issued the remarks during a budget briefing for the Department of Education (DepEd), where he expressed concern over the country’s poor performance in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The results showed that the Philippines ranked near the bottom among 81 countries, placing third from the bottom in science and sixth from the bottom in both mathematics and reading.
“These results are a wake-up call. We cannot afford to let our students fall further behind. We must act now to address these learning gaps and provide our children with the education they deserve,” Co said, echoing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sentiment from his third State of the Nation Address in July.
Co stressed that it is not just about teaching literacy. Rather, it is also about equipping students with essential problem-solving skills and critical thinking, he said.
The lawmaker also highlighted the importance of reducing dropout rates and providing resources to remote and marginalized communities.
He noted that teachers play a crucial role as “second parents” to students and that there needs to be enough educators for the over 23 million students enrolled in elementary and high school for the 2024-2025 school year.
With a proposed budget of P748 billion, Co pointed out that the DepEd has the largest allocation in the National Expenditure Program, reflecting the government’s commitment to education.
“DepEd has one of the biggest budgets… Unfortunately, it also seems to be in the biggest trouble. Tila may mga problema sa sistema ng edukasyon natin na nangangailangan na ng agarang pagtugon,” he said.
“This substantial budget is a reflection of President Marcos’ vision to strengthen the country’s education system,” he added.
Co urged support for the new Education Secretary Sonny Angara and called on lawmakers to endorse the proposed budget for 2025.
