Lack of textbooks, untrained teachers highlight PH education issues, according to study | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Lack of textbooks, untrained teachers highlight PH education issues, according to study
Lack of textbooks, untrained teachers highlight PH education issues, according to study
Jeck Batallones,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 19, 2024 10:25 PM PHT
|
Updated Mar 20, 2024 02:35 PM PHT
Students of Pinyahan Elementary School, supervised by their respective teachers, initiate their 'Catch-up Fridays' program by reading storybooks inside their classrooms on January 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Students of Pinyahan Elementary School, supervised by their respective teachers, initiate their 'Catch-up Fridays' program by reading storybooks inside their classrooms on January 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- A Philippine commission tasked to undertake a comprehensive national assessment of the country's education sector is urging a re-evaluation of how the Philippines should educate future generations, as it released highlights of significant flaws in the country's educational systems.
MANILA -- A Philippine commission tasked to undertake a comprehensive national assessment of the country's education sector is urging a re-evaluation of how the Philippines should educate future generations, as it released highlights of significant flaws in the country's educational systems.
Quoting the EDCOM 2 Year One Report, EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Yee underscored the persistent inequality in accessing quality education, and highlighted a textbook shortage during a discussion with UK Ambassador Laure Beafils.
Quoting the EDCOM 2 Year One Report, EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Yee underscored the persistent inequality in accessing quality education, and highlighted a textbook shortage during a discussion with UK Ambassador Laure Beafils.
"We found out that between 2012 to 2022, only 27 titles have been delivered successfully to schools. Ang realidad sa mga schools natin, Grades 5 and 6 lang ang may kumpletong libro for all subjects. Yung sa iba for the past decade, wala gamit," he said.
"We found out that between 2012 to 2022, only 27 titles have been delivered successfully to schools. Ang realidad sa mga schools natin, Grades 5 and 6 lang ang may kumpletong libro for all subjects. Yung sa iba for the past decade, wala gamit," he said.
(We found out that between 2012 and 2022, only 27 titles have been successfully delivered to schools. The reality in our schools is that only Grades 5 and 6 have complete books for all subjects. For others, there have been no usable books for the past decade.)
(We found out that between 2012 and 2022, only 27 titles have been successfully delivered to schools. The reality in our schools is that only Grades 5 and 6 have complete books for all subjects. For others, there have been no usable books for the past decade.)
ADVERTISEMENT
The report also stressed the urgent need for teacher professional development and support, as many educators face heavy workloads and tasks beyond teaching, such as managing school canteens and libraries.
The report also stressed the urgent need for teacher professional development and support, as many educators face heavy workloads and tasks beyond teaching, such as managing school canteens and libraries.
Daycare teachers are also underpaid, averaging P5000 a month.
Daycare teachers are also underpaid, averaging P5000 a month.
Yee stressed: "In the Philippines, we have 70 thousand daycare workers and teachers. Eighty-nine percent of them are non-permanent so mga job order contractual or honorarium based."
Yee stressed: "In the Philippines, we have 70 thousand daycare workers and teachers. Eighty-nine percent of them are non-permanent so mga job order contractual or honorarium based."
Aside from being underpaid, the study showed that some daycare workers and educators are untrained or incompetent.
Aside from being underpaid, the study showed that some daycare workers and educators are untrained or incompetent.
"The irony is that this is the most important level of education because it is foundational. But it is where we are least invested in. Daycare teachers have no training, there are no pathways in TESDA or CHED to prepare them to become such," he said.
"The irony is that this is the most important level of education because it is foundational. But it is where we are least invested in. Daycare teachers have no training, there are no pathways in TESDA or CHED to prepare them to become such," he said.
UK Ambassador Laure Beafils expressed commitment to supporting the Philippines' education sector.
UK Ambassador Laure Beafils expressed commitment to supporting the Philippines' education sector.
"Education is an important priority we’ve done a lot of work on education over the years we’ve worked on technical education we worked on tertiary education. We supported lots of children and young people through scholarships and continues to be a priority," Beafils said.
"Education is an important priority we’ve done a lot of work on education over the years we’ve worked on technical education we worked on tertiary education. We supported lots of children and young people through scholarships and continues to be a priority," Beafils said.
The EDCOM 2 Year One Report calls for action from policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to address systemic failures and prioritize equity and innovation in our educational systems, aiming for a more inclusive and effective education landscape.
The EDCOM 2 Year One Report calls for action from policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to address systemic failures and prioritize equity and innovation in our educational systems, aiming for a more inclusive and effective education landscape.
RELATED VIDEO:
ADVERTISEMENT
Transport chief Dizon to meet with groups on PUV Modernization Program
Transport chief Dizon to meet with groups on PUV Modernization Program
Mang Rodolfo, a jeepney driver for 20 years, prepares to ply his route on the Pasig-Taguig area in January 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Mang Rodolfo, a jeepney driver for 20 years, prepares to ply his route on the Pasig-Taguig area in January 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATE) — Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he will meet with transport groups on their concerns on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
MANILA (UPDATE) — Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he will meet with transport groups on their concerns on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Dizon, who took his oath of office on Friday, said that while there is no question that the country’s public transport system needs upgrading, it is also important for the government to acknowledge the sector’s issues to find the best way forward.
Dizon, who took his oath of office on Friday, said that while there is no question that the country’s public transport system needs upgrading, it is also important for the government to acknowledge the sector’s issues to find the best way forward.
“Naniniwala naman po ako na ang ating mga jeepney operators, hindi nila hahadlangan ang pag-unlad, hindi nila hahadlangan ang modernisasyon. Pero kung mayroon din silang lehitimong concerns na kailangang pakinggan ng gobyerno,” he said.
“Naniniwala naman po ako na ang ating mga jeepney operators, hindi nila hahadlangan ang pag-unlad, hindi nila hahadlangan ang modernisasyon. Pero kung mayroon din silang lehitimong concerns na kailangang pakinggan ng gobyerno,” he said.
(I believe that our jeepney operators are not against development, they are not against modernization. But if they have legitimate concerns, the government needs to listen)
(I believe that our jeepney operators are not against development, they are not against modernization. But if they have legitimate concerns, the government needs to listen)
ADVERTISEMENT
Among the concerns raised by transport groups like Manibela and Piston, which have mounted protests against the program, are the cost of new units and the low subsidy offered by the government to buy them.
Among the concerns raised by transport groups like Manibela and Piston, which have mounted protests against the program, are the cost of new units and the low subsidy offered by the government to buy them.
Dizon however also said the program which will eventually replace the traditional jeepneys must continue.
Dizon however also said the program which will eventually replace the traditional jeepneys must continue.
“Hindi puwede ding iwanan na lang natin sa kinagisnan natin iyong ating mga jeepneys at iba pang nandiyan sa kalye natin. Kailangang mag-improve iyon.”
“Hindi puwede ding iwanan na lang natin sa kinagisnan natin iyong ating mga jeepneys at iba pang nandiyan sa kalye natin. Kailangang mag-improve iyon.”
Piston on Friday said while they do not oppose industry advancement, they are against the "contrived modernization" in the program that required drivers and operators to consolidate franchises under cooperatives or corporations.
Piston on Friday said while they do not oppose industry advancement, they are against the "contrived modernization" in the program that required drivers and operators to consolidate franchises under cooperatives or corporations.
The group claimed that this requirement "[displaced] livelihood of thousands of small operators and drivers" and most operators are supposedly "coerced" to consolidate due to fear of losing their jobs.
The group claimed that this requirement "[displaced] livelihood of thousands of small operators and drivers" and most operators are supposedly "coerced" to consolidate due to fear of losing their jobs.
"Most operators who joined the [PMTP] were coerced after the government repeatedly threatened to strip them of their livelihoods," said Mody Floranda, the national president of Piston.
"Most operators who joined the [PMTP] were coerced after the government repeatedly threatened to strip them of their livelihoods," said Mody Floranda, the national president of Piston.
Calling the program "flawed", Floranda said drivers and operators are being "burdened" with debt due to overpriced imported units.
Calling the program "flawed", Floranda said drivers and operators are being "burdened" with debt due to overpriced imported units.
The program which started in 2017 requires drivers and operators to consolidate under cooperatives. They would be given new seven-year franchises once they buy at least 10 modern jeepneys with Euro 4 diesel engines.
The program which started in 2017 requires drivers and operators to consolidate under cooperatives. They would be given new seven-year franchises once they buy at least 10 modern jeepneys with Euro 4 diesel engines.
The government said this was to ensure roadworthiness and reduce air pollution. Some transport groups meanwhile have insisted on "upgrading" their units instead of replacing them completely.
The government said this was to ensure roadworthiness and reduce air pollution. Some transport groups meanwhile have insisted on "upgrading" their units instead of replacing them completely.
Piston called on the DOTr to:
Piston called on the DOTr to:
- Allow all PUVs, including those who refused to consolidate, to renew their registrations without delay
- Allow all PUVs, including those who refused to consolidate, to renew their registrations without delay
- Abolish the franchise consolidation requirement
- Abolish the franchise consolidation requirement
- Restore the five-year franchise validity for all PUVs
- Restore the five-year franchise validity for all PUVs
- Scrap the PTMP
- Scrap the PTMP
"In the long term, if the DOTr is serious about modernizing public transport, it must begin steps toward nationalizing the sector by seriously reviewing and terminating all privatization contracts that undermine the efficiency and affordability of public transport as a public good," Floranda added.
"In the long term, if the DOTr is serious about modernizing public transport, it must begin steps toward nationalizing the sector by seriously reviewing and terminating all privatization contracts that undermine the efficiency and affordability of public transport as a public good," Floranda added.
Manibela meanwhile earlier urged Dizon to suspend the implementation of the jeepney modernization program and restore the franchises of unconsolidated jeepney operators.
Manibela meanwhile earlier urged Dizon to suspend the implementation of the jeepney modernization program and restore the franchises of unconsolidated jeepney operators.
The group said it hopes to restart the dialogue with the government on PUV modernization under the new transportation chief.
The group said it hopes to restart the dialogue with the government on PUV modernization under the new transportation chief.
The Department of Budget and Management said in 2024 that the PTMP is not in DOTR's priority projects in 2025.
The Department of Budget and Management said in 2024 that the PTMP is not in DOTR's priority projects in 2025.
RELATED VIDEO
Read More:
Department of Transportation
Vince Dizon
Jeepney phaseout
PUV Modernization Program
Manibela
Piston
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
