TBS | 64% of high school teachers lack training in subjects they are teaching — EDCOM II

Summary

The discussion highlights critical issues in the Philippine education system, focusing on three main problems: overloaded teachers, inadequate textbooks, and lack of inter-agency coordination. Teachers struggle to teach effectively due to numerous responsibilities and often lack proper training in their subjects. Despite significant funding for education, many students lack essential resources, particularly in early childhood education, which is crucial for long-term success. The need for a cohesive national strategy to improve education quality is emphasized, along with the importance of investing in teacher training and early childhood development to foster a better learning environment.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🏫 Teachers are overwhelmed with responsibilities outside of teaching, limiting their ability to focus on education.
• 📉 64% of high school teachers in the Philippines are not qualified in the subjects they are teaching, impacting educational quality.
• 📚 Over the past decade, only grades five and six have received complete textbooks, leaving younger students with inadequate resources.
• 💰 Despite significant budget allocations for education, a large portion remains unutilized, highlighting inefficiencies in spending.
• 🌍 Comparing educational spending, the Philippines spends significantly more per student than countries like Vietnam, yet underperforms in outcomes.
• 🍼 Early childhood education is crucial for long-term student success, but investment in this area has been insufficient in the Philippines.
• 📅 The formal schooling requirement starts at age five, which may not be early enough to instill a love for learning.
• 👩‍🎓 There is a lack of coordinated efforts among educational agencies, leading to ineffective policy implementation.
• 🚸 Bullying is a critical issue in Philippine schools, with high reported cases and insufficient guidance counselors to address it.
• 🔍 A national coordinating council for education is needed to streamline efforts and improve the overall education system.

Q & A

What are the top three actionable problems identified in the education system?

The top three problems are: 1) Teachers are overwhelmed with responsibilities, hindering their ability to teach. 2) A significant number of teachers, particularly in high school, are not properly qualified in the subjects they teach. 3) There is a lack of coordination among various educational agencies.

How do teacher responsibilities impact their ability to teach?

Teachers are burdened with numerous non-teaching tasks, such as managing school feeding programs and administrative duties, which detracts from their primary role of educating students.

What percentage of high school teachers reportedly did not complete the required coursework for their subjects?

64% of high school teachers did not finish the course that they are currently teaching.

What issues were found regarding the availability of textbooks in schools?

The report indicated that in the last ten years, only students in grades five and six had complete textbooks for all subjects. Other grades received inadequate textbook supplies despite budget allocations.

How much of the allocated budget for education has gone unutilized?

In 2023, 27 billion pesos from the Department of Education's resources went unutilized, indicating a significant issue with budget management.

What can be learned from Vietnam's spending on education?

Vietnam prioritizes early childhood education and invests heavily in grades one to three, which has been shown to yield better educational outcomes. In contrast, the Philippines has focused more on higher education.

What is the required age for formal schooling in the Philippines, and is it deemed early enough?

Formal schooling in the Philippines begins at age five. While some progress has been made in early childhood education, experts suggest that more emphasis is needed on early childhood development and parental involvement.

What challenges exist regarding daycare facilities in the Philippines?

Despite laws mandating daycare facilities in every barangay, many lack a structured curriculum, with many being insufficiently staffed and resembling babysitting services rather than structured educational programs.

What are the problems related to guidance counselors in schools?

There is a significant shortage of guidance counselors, with around 4,600 vacant positions. This lack of support contributes to issues like bullying, as there are not enough professionals to address students' needs.

What are the main goals of the new cabinet cluster for education?

The new cabinet cluster aims to create a National Education and Workforce Development plan and a human resources plan for education. These plans will address staffing needs and ensure continuity in reforms over the next ten years.