Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 6)— Following the low proficiency reports of students in reading comprehension, math, and science, Vice President Sara Duterte has urged teachers, stakeholders, and parents to support the Matatag Curriculum to address the education concerns.
“The PISA results lay bare an uncomfortable truth. It has shown that a significant majority of our boys and girls fall below the proficiency level required for full participation in society and contributing to nation-building,” Duterte said in a prepared video message during the DepEd’s forum on Wednesday.
PISA is Program for International Student Assessment that measures 15-year-old students’ reading, mathematics, and science literacy every three years.
According to Duterte, the PISA result is not a reflection of the education system, but a mirror of the collective efforts, investments and commitment they put in the education system.
“As such this is a call to action, a call to our collective responsibility as a nation,” she said.
The Department of Education (DEpEd) presented in the forum the PISA 2022 results, to which it explained that the Philippines had an average score of 355 which is at Level 1b, or the second to the lowest proficiency level called Level 1c. The PISA’s minimum level requirement is at Level 2.
READ: PH still among countries with lowest proficiency in reading, mathematics, and science
As part of the departmen’s matatag curriculum, Duterte said they have implemented national reading in math and science programs and other learning activities.
“We have introduced the Matatag curriculum, implemented the national reading [in] math and science programs, initiated the catch-up Fridays for learners and teachers, expanded the teacher’s progression, pushed for transparent educational programs and practices, and started digitalization among our schools,” she said.
Meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian, who also spoke in the same forum, said the DepEd’s program budget for learning recovery is now close to about ₱2.9 billion.
He added that they need to source out around ₱7 billion budget to “fully intensify the learning recovery.”
The proposed 2024 budget of the DepEd is ₱758.6 billion.
The lawmaker also expressed concern on the status of education in the country.
“I was really concerned that we might regress because I’ve seen on the ground that the struggle of the teachers and principals in continuing in opening our schools and teaching our students despite the technological limitations,” Gatchalian said.
Experts in the forum said the PISA 2022 result is alarming given that it has not significantly changed compared to the 2018 result.
“Twenty point scores mean one year’s worth of learning opportunities, so if our average is 350 and the OECD average is around 450, that means five years worth of delay… That means we have a lot to do,” Xerxes De Castro, Save the Children Philippines advisor, said during the forum.
Meanwhile, Ma. Justine Raagas, executive director of the Philippine Business for Education, said the country’s education system is still in a learning crisis.
“We shouldn’t forget that we are still below the minimum standards and we still need to continue moving forward and move forward fast,” Raagas pointed out.
