A Call for Educational Reform
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has raised concerns over the Philippines’ educational system following the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. The PISA findings revealed significant deficiencies in Filipino students’ proficiency levels, particularly in mathematics, science, and reading, placing the Philippines as the sixth lowest among 81 participating countries and economies. This highlights a pressing need for collective efforts to enhance the nation’s educational standards.
Progress Amidst Challenges
Despite this, there are signs of improvement, albeit marginal. The Philippines showed a slight increase in mathematics and reading scores compared to 2018. However, a decrease in science scores indicates ongoing challenges in this area.
Behind in Global Standards
The Philippines’ performance suggests it lags about five to six years behind countries with higher scores. This gap underscores the disparities in educational advancements globally. The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the country’s educational progress, contributing to the stagnation in performance.
Reform and Recovery Efforts
The Department of Education (DepEd) has acknowledged the necessity of reforms, emphasizing that improvements in education take time. Initiatives like the recalibrated Kindergarten to Grade 10 (K-10) curriculum are being implemented, aiming to enhance learning outcomes. However, achieving parity with other Southeast Asian nations might realistically take until 2029 or beyond.
Beyond Individual Leadership
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noted that the PISA results should not be attributed solely to Duterte’s leadership as the pandemic’s impact was beyond control and the study period predates her tenure. He advocates for public support of DepEd’s ongoing reforms.
Addressing Core Issues
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero de Vera III stressed the need for curriculum adjustments to better meet 21st-century demands and to improve learners’ performance in future international assessments. This approach is integral to realizing the vision outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028).