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PBEd advocates for proactive measures to address the underlying issues impacting the state of education in the country.
An advocacy group revealed the current state of Philippine education on Monday, May 29, following a series of consultations, urging stakeholders to tackle pressing issues that contribute to the country’s perceived “crisis.”
Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) unveiled its 2023 State of Philippine Education report at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City. This report stemmed from consultations involving students, parents, teachers, school leaders, industry experts, and government officials.
PBEd highlighted critical concerns plaguing the education system: declining mental health among students and educators, inadequate support for teachers, the prevalence of “mass promotion” among learners, and the absence of accurate, timely, and consistent assessments.
In his opening speech, PBEd Chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. acknowledged positive reforms focusing on learning outcomes and employability. However, he emphasized the pressing need to address the education system’s challenges, particularly the learning crisis. Del Rosario urged intensified efforts to enhance the education system, considering education’s pivotal role in individual growth and national development.
The presentation on the state of education took center stage at the Annual Membership Meeting. PBEd, along with its partners, aims to devise actionable strategies based on these discussions. Del Rosario emphasized the importance of continued proactive measures to overcome factors hindering the country’s education system from achieving its full potential.
Identifying issues
During the presentation of the State of Philippine Education Report, PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas highlighted that PBEd conducted numerous consultations aiming to genuinely listen to the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, school leaders, government officials, and industry partners, comprehending their collective experiences on the field.
Raagas emphasized that even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines grappled with a learning crisis, with statistics showing that 9 out of 10 students aged 10 struggled to read basic texts.
Raagas highlighted that in recent years, the country has witnessed concerning trends, including “poor performance in international assessments.” Additionally, she pointed out that child malnutrition and stunting have worsened over the past decades.
Raagas mentioned, “When the pandemic struck, our education system was unprepared, leaving many learners behind.”
Addressing the crisis
During an interview, Raagas reiterated the “crisis” in the country’s current education system. Stressing the urgency of the situation, she emphasized the necessity for collaborative actions involving both public and private sectors, alongside other key stakeholders.
Raagas highlighted the paramount importance of ensuring foundational learning for students, focusing on basic literacy and numeracy. She emphasized that this fundamental groundwork is crucial for students’ comprehension and will significantly impact their future learning and employability.
Addressing the urgency of the matter, Raagas emphasized the need to prioritize foundational skills as a primary intervention. She stressed the allocation of efforts and resources towards this critical aspect.
Additionally, Raagas underscored the necessity of assessing the current educational status to identify starting points for remedial actions, considering the uncertainty about the system’s current position.
Moreover, she emphasized the essential role of well-equipped and empowered teachers. Raagas mentioned the widespread demand for supporting educators to enable them to concentrate on their primary responsibilities of managing classrooms and delivering effective teaching, rather than being burdened with administrative tasks.
