YPS

STATISTICS SHOW HOW INADEQUATE OUR education system is in providing the quality and level of standards needed by Filipino students to learn, develop and acquire skills. From low enrollment rates, high illiteracy rates, low achievement rates to a mismatch between acquired skills and industry requirements, not to mention poor teacher quality and morale, the Philippine education system has shown little improvement through the years. Changes in leadership and poor governance are only some of the factors contributing to the decline.

A strong advocate for education reform is Education Nation, an alliance convened to develop a reform agenda for education. Over the past year consultations were made with multi-sector organizations, parent groups, community organizations, and corporate foundations to discuss recommendations and positions on the various issues in education.

Workshop groups and forums were held in Cebu, Davao and Manila on specific areas such as Education Governance, Financing Education, Basic Education Reform, Higher Education, Alternative Learning Systems and Teacher Quality and Welfare. The output of these workshops have been condensed into a 10-point agenda that will be presented in February 2010.

Specific action points include transitioning the basic education cycle to 12 years, developing monitoring and evaluation systems, beginning with an independent testing system to measure performance and achievement levels of students based on learning outcomes, salary standardization and support for the National Competency Based Teacher Standards.

There have been many attempts to articulate one reform agenda or another for education but with each change in leadership, reforms remain unimplemented. The private sector, through multi-sector partnerships, has been somewhat effective in establishing education programs in specific communities but these have not been enough to bring about the reform-oriented policy changes that our education system desperately needs. Unesco’s Education For All has long ago recognized the distinct role and contribution of civil society in pushing for reforms and support for education. But education reform can be made more effective if we have the government as the “lead arm” in implementation. But with systemic failures in governance and policy implementation, year after year the same problems and the same issues resurface. Year after year, the same calls for reform are raised.

Education Nation calls for reform that is anchored on learning with strong governance structures and is responsive to global challenges. But education reform does not remain in the hands of a few persistent and determined organizations. Neither is it the sole responsibility of government, but one that is shared by all citizens as individuals and as communities. From teachers to students to parents, we all have a hand in ensuring that we get the education system we deserve. Ultimately, we will have no one else to blame but ourselves.

The call for an education president, however, is not being made just so a cohesive education reform strategy can immediately be put in motion. It is a call for each of us to stand up and take action. We should take the time to really be aware of what our country needs. We should make an effort to find out which candidate can truly deliver particularly on education, because education is the key driver for all other developmental reforms.

How we are today is the direct result of how we voted in past elections. Who we vote for now will hopefully determine the kind of education we will have in 10 to 15 years. If we do not choose an education president now, our education system will continue to fail and our country will be really left behind. That is not the kind of future that we want for succeeding generations.

The struggle for quality education is our nation’s struggle. There was a time not too long ago when a public school education was enough to provide someone with the skills to cope with the demands of the workplace and prime him toward a successful career. Not anymore.

What we have now are dismal achievement rates, low and inconsistent performance standards, poor overall quality and the loss of hope among students. There are some who still choose to paint a pretty picture of Philippine education. They honor the continuing heroic effort of our educators and acknowledge instances of demonstrated achievement in a sea of mediocrity. But the situation remains the same, and it will remain so in the days and years to come, unless we stand resolutely to reform our country’s education system.

Education reform is a struggle that begins with a determined advocacy for a common agenda, and comes to fruition under the leadership of a president who will eschew personal gain in favor of a clear vision of the country’s future. When a kariton as a means for education and learning is bestowed a place of honor, it is a cause for alarm, not hope.

As published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Opinion Section
09 January 2010 http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100108-246285...

Ching Jorge (chingjorge@gmail.com) is the vice president of Bato Balani Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization geared toward uplifting the quality of education and a member of Education Nation. She is also the lead convenor of Youth Vote Philippines and a fellow of the Asia Society.