Senator Sonny Angara during the Senate hearing on proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution in Pasay City on February 12, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday admitted that the state of Philippine education is "not great."

Speaking at a luncheon organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Angara said he "acknowledges" the problem in the education sector. 

"It's not great, to put it that way... It's been called a learning crisis. I think the measurements are there; it's hard to deny it. The Educational Commission (Second Congressional Commission on Education/EDCOM 2), Dr. Chito (Salazar), I, and many advocates from all walks of life all caring about education have come up with the finding that we are 5 and a half years behind in terms of comprehension, and abilities, and competencies in the educational system," he said during the panel discussion. 

"That's quite a mountain to climb... The first step is acknowledging the problem, and that's why we are cognizant of that problem," he added. 

Angara said that recovery programs have been initiated, while "building blocks" and "builders" are ready to help the agency. 

"Congress itself is proposing a suspension of the regular curriculum, just for foundational skills: literacy, numeracy, reading comprehension, math, and science, basic concepts. So I think we need to strengthen the foundation, that's the consensus and the plan of action," he said.

The official said they are also focused on "the finer points," including  the review of the Senior High School curriculum.

"We've only been a decade in, we graduated our first batch of Senior High School students in 2016. We've gotten the inputs from industries and from employers, and the review has been good," Angara said. 

"Some believe that we should return to the 10-year curriculum, but I don't think that's the progressive direction. I'm in favor of just a review, and pursuing reforms... Because I think our mistake is placing too many subjects in the curriculum... We require 22 subjects... and another 7 to 8 additional electives, so that's 30 subjects over 2 years. Clearly, there was very little mastery," he added. 

Angara explained teacher training, learning delivery, and honing life skills are also essential.

READ: COA flags DepEd's P12.3-billion disallowances, suspensions and charges

READ: How DepEd plans to implement program on reading, math

ON UPSKILLING, EMPLOYABILITY

Despite being affected by super typhoon Carina and Habagat, teachers and parents at Bagong Silangan Elementery School in Quezon City clean classroom, paints arm chairs and prepare the classroom on Sunday, July 28, 2024, a day before the first day of School Year 2024-2025 tomorrow July 29. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsAngela Chen, Vice President for Skilling of the Wadhwani Foundation, said they can help in upskilling of Senior High School graduates. 

"Fundamentally, critical thinking skills and attitude: those are the things that employers are looking for. When we think about the simplification of curriculum, all these skills are actually building on top of foundational, mathematical thinking. All of these things actually open up new pathways of career growth for people down the line," she shared.  

Dr. Chito Salazar, Member of the Congressional Commission on Education of the Philippines and President of PHINMA Education, reiterated their call to employers to prioritize competencies over college degrees. 

"Start removing from our hiring requirements the need for a college degree, and just indicate the competencies. Because we need to be open to hiring Senior High School graduates. You still choose the best person for the job, but just remove the college degree as a requirement. Second, to please open your doors to the Senior High School internship program. We really need our Senior High School students to get experience," he said. 

READ: E-commerce to be added to senior high curriculum

READ: Knowledge Channel, DepEd deepen ties through renewed partnership

Elvin Ivan Uy, Executive Director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, said the public and private sectors should work together for the good of the country

"For industries here, for companies here, where you can support basic education, making sure our learners go to conducive learning environments, hiring them, making it easier for them to find pathways to further education or the world of work, that can help tremendously as we progress as an economy," he shared. 

There are over 57,000 public and private schools in the country, based on data from the Education department.

More than a million personnel are employed by DepEd, and more than 25 million Filipino students are enrolled annually. 

RELATED VIDEO: