How the Philippine Education System FAILED

Summary

The Philippine education system faces significant challenges, including high dropout rates and poor performance in international assessments like PISA. Historically influenced by colonial rule, the system suffers from inadequate facilities, under-compensated educators, and a selective approach to education. Despite constitutional mandates for free secondary education, quality education remains a privilege due to insufficient public school resources. The removal of Philippine history from the curriculum and the persistence of colonial mentality further exacerbate the crisis, while brain drain deprives the nation of its skilled workforce. Education is crucial for social change, and the script calls for the educated to use their knowledge to better the country.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Philippines faces significant educational challenges, including high dropout rates and poor performance in international assessments like PISA.
• 🏛 The roots of the current education system's issues can be traced back to historical periods of colonization, which shaped its development and left lasting impacts.
• 👨‍🏫 During Spanish colonization, education was selective and aimed at creating clerks and officials, while neglecting the broader population's needs.
• 🌐 The American colonial period introduced 'imperial education,' which increased literacy but also diminished nationalism and fostered a colonial mentality.
• 🏢 Post-independence, the Philippines experienced rapid growth, but the education system struggled to meet the rising demand for quality education.
• 📈 The Aquino administration after Marcos's dictatorship saw improvements, with a focus on making education a right, not a privilege, and increasing enrollment rates.
• 💼 The removal of Philippine history from the curriculum in 2014 sparked controversy and may have contributed to a weakened sense of national identity.
• 🧠 The issue of 'brain drain' is highlighted, where the Philippines' inability to offer competitive compensation leads talented individuals to seek opportunities abroad.
• 🏛️ The script emphasizes the importance of education in fostering democracy and the need for an educated populace to drive social change and challenge corrupt politicians.
• 🌟 It concludes with a call to action for the educated to use their knowledge to improve themselves, their communities, and the country at large.

Q & A

What is the current issue with the Philippine education system?

The Philippine education system is facing a crisis with high dropout rates, a significant number of youth out of school, and a decline in the quality of education, particularly at the elementary and secondary levels.

How does the Philippines compare to OECD countries in terms of educational performance?

In the PISA 2018 assessments, the Philippines scored significantly lower than the OECD average in reading literacy (340 points vs. 487), mathematics (353 points vs. 489), and science (357 points vs. 489).

What historical factors have contributed to the current state of the Philippine education system?

The Philippine education system's current state is rooted in its history with colonial empires, particularly the Spanish colonization era, which led to selective education and a lack of proper learning environments.

What were the effects of the American colonization on Philippine education?

American colonization introduced 'imperial education' that aimed to unify Filipinos through American culture and language, which increased literacy but also diminished nationalism and contributed to a colonial mentality.

How did the Japanese occupation impact the Philippine education system?

The Japanese occupation during World War II led to the destruction of public schools, buildings, books, and materials, causing a significant disruption in the education system.

What was the impact of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on education?

The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandated that secondary education must be free for all, leading to an increase in enrollment in elementary and secondary levels and reinforcing the idea that education is a right, not a privilege.

Why is the current state of the education system still considered selective?

Despite the constitutional mandate for free secondary education, the system remains selective due to under-compensation of educators, insufficient facilities and materials in public schools, and the perception that quality education is more accessible in private institutions.

What was the controversy surrounding the removal of Philippine history from the high school curriculum?

The removal of Philippine history from the curriculum was controversial as it was seen as a loss of cultural identity and understanding, potentially exacerbating colonial mentality and contributing to a lack of national pride.

How does the issue of brain drain relate to the Philippine education crisis?

Brain drain is a consequence of the education crisis, as capable individuals leave the country to seek better compensation and opportunities abroad, which the Philippines is unable to provide due to its current economic and educational challenges.

What role does education play in addressing the education crisis and social change in the Philippines?

Education is considered the main weapon to instigate social change. An educated population has the power to challenge corrupt politicians and authorities, and to drive the country towards growth and development.