Two more years of basic education?

(This is the conclusion of  the columnist’s discussion of this subject, which started last Friday.)

Suggestions / Recommendations

1. Save the youth from dropping out early in elementary and high school. Statistics show that out of 100 pupils that enter Grade One only 66 finish Grade Six (that means 34 dropouts), only 58 will enroll in first year high school (eight are out of school youth or OSY) and only 43 finish high school (that means 15 dropouts). Only 23 enroll in college (20 may enroll in techvoc courses) and only 14 will graduate (nine dropouts). Excluding the OSY, there are 34 dropouts in the elementary and five dropouts in high school.

This number represents a 49-percent dropout rate from basic education. To reduce or minimize this, the government should really put more budget in basic education to implement 100-percent free public elementary and secondary education. Massive construction of additional classrooms, chairs, decent comfort rooms, portable water, put up sports and recreational facilities shall be required.

2. Work with local government officials from the barangay to the provincial levels to help ensure that all school age children in the community are in school and to monitor the dropping out phenomenon. The local government officials in collaboration with the superintendent, supervisors, principals and coordinators together can substantially reduce the drop out rate.

Ateneo de Manila University has worked successfully with some local government officials along this line. The AdM work could be a model.

3. Broaden and strengthen the coverage of alternative learning system. Target the out-of-school youth in regions, provinces, towns and places where transportation is very difficult.

4. Continue training and upgrading of teachers competencies. Quality teaching results in quality learning.
Teachers who will be assigned to work on this (ALS) should be given incentives and/or rewards.

5. In the area of curricular reform, the number of subjects in primary (Grades One to Three) must be limited to those that will develop love of country, natural sciences, mathematics and language (reading and writing). At present there are so many subjects to be studied and a lot of information to know without any specific mastery.

The Philippine Education System is beset with so many problems. We shouldn’t stop looking for solutions.

Adding two more years in basic education is not the solution but may lead to more problems and confusion if we implement this immediately. Instead of adding two more years to basic education, it is the humble opinion of this writer to spend the budget in teacher development, facility development, curriculum development and pupil’s development. Likewise, strengthen the alternative learning system to give a chance to out-of-school youth to reenter the education system in close coordination, cooperation and collaboration with local government officials.

The Filipino parent and their children expect much from education in their quest for better life. They put their hope in education. The Department of Basic Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) must work and put their acts together. With the support of the national government and other government and non-government agencies, the industry and the local government units, the Philippine Educational System may finally rise to the level desired and give life and meaning to the DepEd slogan “Edukasyon ang Solusyon [Education is the Solution].”–FELIZARDO Y. FRANCISCO, Manila Times