Education, Labor and Health: What has been done and what needs to be addressed | ABS-CBN
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Education, Labor and Health: What has been done and what needs to be addressed
Education, Labor and Health: What has been done and what needs to be addressed
Students try to shield themselves from the heat of the noonday sun at President Corazon Aquino High School in the Baseco community in Tondo, Manila, on April 2, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Students try to shield themselves from the heat of the noonday sun at President Corazon Aquino High School in the Baseco community in Tondo, Manila, on April 2, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Making changes to the basic education curriculum was among the pressing matters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2023.
MANILA — Making changes to the basic education curriculum was among the pressing matters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2023.
He expressed support for the MATATAG Agenda, crafted by Vice President Sara Duterte as education secretary, which reduced the learning competencies in the curriculum to put emphasis on reading, math and life skills "to ensure that it is always relevant, responsive, and at par with international standards."
He expressed support for the MATATAG Agenda, crafted by Vice President Sara Duterte as education secretary, which reduced the learning competencies in the curriculum to put emphasis on reading, math and life skills "to ensure that it is always relevant, responsive, and at par with international standards."
Marcos said then that "literacy and numeracy skills need to be strengthened [and] the virtue of good citizenship and sense of community are also now integrated into our curriculum."
Marcos said then that "literacy and numeracy skills need to be strengthened [and] the virtue of good citizenship and sense of community are also now integrated into our curriculum."
The Department of Education (DepEd) hopes these changes will be continued by Sen. Sonny Angara, who has been designated education secretary after Duterte's resignation from the Marcos Jr. Cabinet.
The Department of Education (DepEd) hopes these changes will be continued by Sen. Sonny Angara, who has been designated education secretary after Duterte's resignation from the Marcos Jr. Cabinet.
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"May impact na iyan because meron nga tayong feedback, maganda yung naging feedback sa mga pilot schools ng MATATAG. So, na-feel na nila kaagad na decongested yung curriculum," Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, who has since quit the post, told ABS-CBN News.
"May impact na iyan because meron nga tayong feedback, maganda yung naging feedback sa mga pilot schools ng MATATAG. So, na-feel na nila kaagad na decongested yung curriculum," Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, who has since quit the post, told ABS-CBN News.
Whether it will lead to better education outcomes will, only time will tell.
Whether it will lead to better education outcomes will, only time will tell.
Angara recently said he was keen on continuing these changes.
Angara recently said he was keen on continuing these changes.
"Titingnan natin yung specifics pero hindi pa naman tapos iyan, working progress pa rin yung MATATAG Curriculum," Angara said in a recent radio interview.
"Titingnan natin yung specifics pero hindi pa naman tapos iyan, working progress pa rin yung MATATAG Curriculum," Angara said in a recent radio interview.
"So, dapat huwag tayong pagbigla-bigla, i-maintain natin yung direksyon na talagang to simplify yung curriculum," he said.
"So, dapat huwag tayong pagbigla-bigla, i-maintain natin yung direksyon na talagang to simplify yung curriculum," he said.
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IMPROVING PISA SCORES
Curriculum change has been one of the interventions by DepEd to improve the country's rankings in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Curriculum change has been one of the interventions by DepEd to improve the country's rankings in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
In 2022, PISA results showed that Filipino students lagged behind in math, science, reading and in creative thinking compared to learners from other countries.
In 2022, PISA results showed that Filipino students lagged behind in math, science, reading and in creative thinking compared to learners from other countries.
"Nang napansin natin doon sa medyo hindi magandang performance natin sa PISA, isang bagay na napuna natin is — kasi computer-based yung exam, so to prepare our learners for this exam, dapat din ay familiar sila dun sa paggamit ng mga computers," Poa said.
"Nang napansin natin doon sa medyo hindi magandang performance natin sa PISA, isang bagay na napuna natin is — kasi computer-based yung exam, so to prepare our learners for this exam, dapat din ay familiar sila dun sa paggamit ng mga computers," Poa said.
The DepEd has also launched digital education programs to help improve the students' performance in the international assessment.
The DepEd has also launched digital education programs to help improve the students' performance in the international assessment.
To ensure learning will not be hampered, the DepEd has made alternative teaching methods such as online classes and modular learning a permanent option for schools.
To ensure learning will not be hampered, the DepEd has made alternative teaching methods such as online classes and modular learning a permanent option for schools.
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But some teachers believe these modes are not effective.
But some teachers believe these modes are not effective.
"Para sa akin, tanggalin (na lang) kasi na-compare namin na dumaan ng pandemic, sila iyong mga bata na sa ngayon problema namin in terms of reading. Kasi hindi naman sila — hindi naman sa lahat — hindi sila nabigyan ng focus at atensyon na talaga na tutukan kasi may working parents," Grade 6 teacher Charity Guinucud told ABS-CBN News.
"Para sa akin, tanggalin (na lang) kasi na-compare namin na dumaan ng pandemic, sila iyong mga bata na sa ngayon problema namin in terms of reading. Kasi hindi naman sila — hindi naman sa lahat — hindi sila nabigyan ng focus at atensyon na talaga na tutukan kasi may working parents," Grade 6 teacher Charity Guinucud told ABS-CBN News.
CLASSROOM AND STAFF SHORTAGE
Addressing the classroom backlog also remains a challenge for DepEd, despite this being mentioned as one of the priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration.
Addressing the classroom backlog also remains a challenge for DepEd, despite this being mentioned as one of the priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration.
In 2023, the DepEd said there was a nationwide shortage of 165,433 classrooms. While new ones have been built, the DepEd has acknowledged that many more need to be put up to decongest public schools.
In 2023, the DepEd said there was a nationwide shortage of 165,433 classrooms. While new ones have been built, the DepEd has acknowledged that many more need to be put up to decongest public schools.
"Nasa 150,000 plus pa rin yung ating shortage. Slowly, nagkakaroon tayo ng construction of new classrooms. Nagkakaroon din tayo ng repair and rehabilitation ng mga hindi nagagamit para magamit na to ease yung congestion natin sa schools. But admittedly, hindi rin ganun kadali," Poa said.
"Nasa 150,000 plus pa rin yung ating shortage. Slowly, nagkakaroon tayo ng construction of new classrooms. Nagkakaroon din tayo ng repair and rehabilitation ng mga hindi nagagamit para magamit na to ease yung congestion natin sa schools. But admittedly, hindi rin ganun kadali," Poa said.
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The agency also continues to strengthen its Education Service Contracting Program that provides subsidies to students who wish to transfer to private schools.
The agency also continues to strengthen its Education Service Contracting Program that provides subsidies to students who wish to transfer to private schools.
Following Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure the welfare of teachers, the DepEd also instructed the removal of administrative tasks from teachers' workloads.
Following Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure the welfare of teachers, the DepEd also instructed the removal of administrative tasks from teachers' workloads.
It also released a department order to allow overload pay for teachers.
It also released a department order to allow overload pay for teachers.
"Sa hiring ng ating mga administrative support (staff), nasa 98% na tayo," Poa said, adding Marcos Jr. was part of the discussions on how to improve the education system.
"Sa hiring ng ating mga administrative support (staff), nasa 98% na tayo," Poa said, adding Marcos Jr. was part of the discussions on how to improve the education system.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), on the other hand, believes the DepEd's numbers do not reflect the situation on the ground.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), on the other hand, believes the DepEd's numbers do not reflect the situation on the ground.
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"Ayon sa huli nating dialogue sa Department of Budget and Management, hindi pa nafifill-up iyong 5,000 na non-teaching positions — sa totoo lang kulang ito dahil mayroong 48,000 schools at ilalagay mo ito sa mga eskwelahan at nasa isang milyon ang teachers. Bawat teacher may non-teaching tasks eh," ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua told ABS-CBN News.
"Ayon sa huli nating dialogue sa Department of Budget and Management, hindi pa nafifill-up iyong 5,000 na non-teaching positions — sa totoo lang kulang ito dahil mayroong 48,000 schools at ilalagay mo ito sa mga eskwelahan at nasa isang milyon ang teachers. Bawat teacher may non-teaching tasks eh," ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua told ABS-CBN News.
The DepEd said it hopes the Marcos administration will support initiatives to increase the salaries and benefits of teachers, as well as expand the school-based feeding program and continue crucial reforms in procurement, among others.
The DepEd said it hopes the Marcos administration will support initiatives to increase the salaries and benefits of teachers, as well as expand the school-based feeding program and continue crucial reforms in procurement, among others.
LABOR MISMATCHES AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Close to the issue of education is labor, with President Marcos Jr., also in his SONA last year, emphasizing the need to match the country's labor force to industries' demands.
Close to the issue of education is labor, with President Marcos Jr., also in his SONA last year, emphasizing the need to match the country's labor force to industries' demands.
He said then that this was being addressed "through strengthened government-industry-labor-academe partnerships, and the continuous reskilling and upskilling training programs that we have put before our workforce."
He said then that this was being addressed "through strengthened government-industry-labor-academe partnerships, and the continuous reskilling and upskilling training programs that we have put before our workforce."
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has crafted the National Technical Education Skills Development Plan 2023 to 2028, which includes career development support,to address the issue.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has crafted the National Technical Education Skills Development Plan 2023 to 2028, which includes career development support,to address the issue.
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"Ang bottom line nito, yung proper counseling sa mga estudyante. Ano ba ang sana i-consider nila na tamang kurso na kukunin nila para ma-prepare sila doon sa mga potential jobs," Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told ABS-CBN News.
"Ang bottom line nito, yung proper counseling sa mga estudyante. Ano ba ang sana i-consider nila na tamang kurso na kukunin nila para ma-prepare sila doon sa mga potential jobs," Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told ABS-CBN News.
Information on what employers need and are looking for will come from industry organizations, he said.
Information on what employers need and are looking for will come from industry organizations, he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the unemployment rate in the Philippines had gone down to 3.9% in March compared to last year's record of 4.7%
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the unemployment rate in the Philippines had gone down to 3.9% in March compared to last year's record of 4.7%
"Nakalikha na ng karagdagan na humigit kumulang mga dalawang milyon. Pero hindi rin sumasapat iyon eh," Laguesma said, explaining that new graduates enter the workforce each year.
"Nakalikha na ng karagdagan na humigit kumulang mga dalawang milyon. Pero hindi rin sumasapat iyon eh," Laguesma said, explaining that new graduates enter the workforce each year.
"At yung mga iba na walang trabaho, nakakakita ng pag-asa na makakahanap," he said.
Beyond the availability of jobs is the issue of commensurate and adequate pay, an issue that DOLE acknowledges cannot be addressed immediately. Increases in the minimum wage are done per region and entail months of study and public consultation.
Beyond the availability of jobs is the issue of commensurate and adequate pay, an issue that DOLE acknowledges cannot be addressed immediately. Increases in the minimum wage are done per region and entail months of study and public consultation.
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For this reason, various labor groups have urged the President to include in his next SONA the legislated wage increase bill as a priority measure.
For this reason, various labor groups have urged the President to include in his next SONA the legislated wage increase bill as a priority measure.
MEASLES HANDLED BUT TB AND HIV REMAIN CHALLENGES
In his previous SONA, the President also mentioned protecting children from diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio through vaccination as a priority. He also expressed concern over the rising cases of tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
In his previous SONA, the President also mentioned protecting children from diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio through vaccination as a priority. He also expressed concern over the rising cases of tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
The Department of Health (DOH) said they were able to step up vaccination, especially in areas like Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where the vaccination rates for measles, rubella and polio were low.
The Department of Health (DOH) said they were able to step up vaccination, especially in areas like Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where the vaccination rates for measles, rubella and polio were low.
"Yung BARMM region kasi ay isa sa may mga pinaka-mababang vaccination at nagkaroon tayo ng measles outbreak doon. Kung hindi natin na-control ‘yon, kakalat yon sa buong Mindanao, and buong Visayas and the Philippines," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
"Yung BARMM region kasi ay isa sa may mga pinaka-mababang vaccination at nagkaroon tayo ng measles outbreak doon. Kung hindi natin na-control ‘yon, kakalat yon sa buong Mindanao, and buong Visayas and the Philippines," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
The DOH has vaccinated 1.3 million children between the ages of six months and nine years in the Bangsamoro region.
But, Herbosa admitted, reining in TB and HIV/AIDS, remains to a challenge.
But, Herbosa admitted, reining in TB and HIV/AIDS, remains to a challenge.
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"Napakataas ng new cases natin: 50 new cases a day. We’re the highest in the world. Madami naman gustong tumulong pero kailangan talagang ma-test sila," Herbosa said of HIV cases.
"Napakataas ng new cases natin: 50 new cases a day. We’re the highest in the world. Madami naman gustong tumulong pero kailangan talagang ma-test sila," Herbosa said of HIV cases.
Herbosa said the DOH continues to construct specialty hospitals in the provinces, following the President's directive.
Herbosa said the DOH continues to construct specialty hospitals in the provinces, following the President's directive.
"May mga heart operations na tayo sa Mindanao, sa Visayas — both Eastern and Western Visayas. So iyong ang mga programa na tuloy-tuloy na pag-implement ng Universal Health Care Act natin," Herbosa said.
"May mga heart operations na tayo sa Mindanao, sa Visayas — both Eastern and Western Visayas. So iyong ang mga programa na tuloy-tuloy na pag-implement ng Universal Health Care Act natin," Herbosa said.
EXODUS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Another issue the DOH needs to address is the shortage in health care workers, which is estimated to be around 195,116. But doctors, nurses, and midwives are not the only ones leaving the country.
Another issue the DOH needs to address is the shortage in health care workers, which is estimated to be around 195,116. But doctors, nurses, and midwives are not the only ones leaving the country.
Other medical professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, medical and radiologic technologists are expected to also seek better opportunities abroad.
Other medical professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, medical and radiologic technologists are expected to also seek better opportunities abroad.
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"So, we have to compete," Herbosa said.
"So, we have to compete," Herbosa said.
The health secretary says higher salaries as well as pathways to additional education could help keep healthcare workers in the Philippines.
The health secretary says higher salaries as well as pathways to additional education could help keep healthcare workers in the Philippines.
"Nag-offer din ako ng housing — diba yung Pag-IBIG para in case they may want to stay. And then iniisip ko rin nga, pati kotse, parang i-provide na natin," Herbosa said.
"Nag-offer din ako ng housing — diba yung Pag-IBIG para in case they may want to stay. And then iniisip ko rin nga, pati kotse, parang i-provide na natin," Herbosa said.
Private hospitals, on the other hand, hope they will be included in the government's solutions.
Private hospitals, on the other hand, hope they will be included in the government's solutions.
"Ang government madali sabihin kasi may budget sila...pero ang private hospitals wala naman kaming government subsidy. Nagdedepende kami sa income sa nakukuha sa pasyente. Kapag tinaasan namin ang suweldo tataas naman ang hospitalization cost, doon babawi," Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPI) president Jose Rene De Grano said.
"Ang government madali sabihin kasi may budget sila...pero ang private hospitals wala naman kaming government subsidy. Nagdedepende kami sa income sa nakukuha sa pasyente. Kapag tinaasan namin ang suweldo tataas naman ang hospitalization cost, doon babawi," Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPI) president Jose Rene De Grano said.
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Many of the issues concerning education, labor and health have been challenges even in the previous administrations. In his third SONA, will President Marcos Jr. give new directives on how he plans to address them differently in the succeeding years?
Many of the issues concerning education, labor and health have been challenges even in the previous administrations. In his third SONA, will President Marcos Jr. give new directives on how he plans to address them differently in the succeeding years?
That is what many in these sectors hope to hear.
That is what many in these sectors hope to hear.
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