EDITORIAL

Hard Struggle for Education

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

On the basis of educational performance, the Philippines ranks at the bottom of 10 Asian countries. Hence, the Aquino administration responded with a K+12 strategy. This is the gist of the subject matter discussed by DepEd officials at the Kapihan on October 15, 2011 at Smokehauz Resto & Bar. The guests are Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, OIC Schools Div. Supt and Mr. Radne B. Jomuad, Asst. Schools Div. Supt. for Elementary Education of Aklan.

Dr. Gomez, outstanding Aklanon 2011 assumed his post at DepEd barely two weeks ago after serving as City Schools Div. Supt. of Roxs City. He composed the Aklan Hymn and Aklan March later adopted and legislated to be sung during social and official functions.

Our policy is basically strenghtening the educational system to address the challenge poised by the need to produce quality graduates for a developing economy, loyal and faithful to the country. Yet budget shortfalls impedes. Presently, we have 19 school districts (1 per municipality, 2 each for Kalibo and Ibajay), 320 public elem. schools and 72 public high schools. At administrative level, there are two asst. schools div. supt., 9 educational supervisors and 17 district supervisors. Population and budget-wise, DepEd is the biggest national line agency, Dr. Gomez admitted.

Our roadmap is a return to the 3R’s with emphasis on policy implementation, "no read, no compute, no move." This is a reversal of continuous progression practiced and abused before. Gomez is very particular about school dropouts, absences and slow learners. These cases cropped up because of overcrowded classrooms having teacher-pupil ratio of 1:40-50. In some cases, this goes up to 90 per teacher as in Boracay and other highly urbanized areas. Double sessions is probably implemented to overcome the problem but expressed reservation that pupils may be unduly exposed to criminal elements since second shift occurs in the evening. We prioritize construction of more school buildings with ideal classroom size of 30–35 pupils, vertically set up due to constraints of space, Dr. Gomez stressed.

Mr. Radne Jomuad revealed, DepEd offers the best opportunity for qualified teachers with a starting salary of P19,000/month. However, applicants must be committed, persevering and possess a great love for children. Licensure exam for teachers are conducted twice a year. Fresh graduates may apply as volunteer teachers in day care centers to provide pre-education to kids. The Localization Law plus experience on the job could work positively for the applicants.

School dropouts in 2010 both in secondary and elementary levels were reduced from 5.3 to 4.74 percent, and from 2.1 to 1.52 percent respectively compared to the 2009 data.

Atty. Allen S. Quimpo remarked that issue and concerns on education could not be discussed in just one setting. A better approach is a com-prehensive study of the problems and propose solution based on short, medium, and long terms education program. Rationale is the dwindling quality of our graduates based on communication and technical skills, low passing averages on licensure exams and pathetic showing in international academic competitions.

According to Jomuad, children want to finish their education but are sometimes prevented from doing so because they want to help their parents. This is due to poverty that requires kids to help in various farm or home chores. The conditional Cash Transfer program of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III cannot solve poverty as the amount of P1,250 per month per family could only be good for a sack of rice.

Congested and humid classrooms seem to be conveniently solved by school integration. This does not solve the problem but exacerbates it. Open spaces originally designed for sports, scouting, playground demonstration and vegetable gardening are fast disappearing from our public and private schools. Ironically, DepEd does not have a budget for land acqusition but authorizes excessive spending on school buildings.

On record is the P600,000 outlay for constructing one classroom by DPWH or private contractors where structural standards, functions, and aesthetics are ignored. It should be underscored that the above amount could finance construction of a modern school building with 3 classrooms done in partnership with the community and technical support by LGU’s. Best show window is the Baptist Student Center in Bulwang, Numancia.

The rationale for implementation of K+12 this year is to prepare our graduates for global labor competition and productivity. This is a 6 year elementary education, 4 years junior high and 2 years senior high school. In all likehood this will decongest existing curriculum and graduate students as 18 years fit and ready for employment said Mr. Jomuad. However, the only pitful is that students may forego to get a college degree since they are more or less academically prepared and gainfully employed. Until now, this scenario is being worked out by college and university officials to counter a possible depletion in enrolment for college freshmen in 2015.

Education in this country is cherished by young and old alike. Availment by the youth for better life and future is enshrined in our Constitution. However, there are certain aspects in the socio–economic structure that prevent its full enjoyment and privilege. Virtual access is hindered by poverty, failing health, distance and rough terrain, and shortage of classrooms. For the poor who comprises roughly half the population of Aklan, taking the 12 years curriculum can be an uphill struggle indeed but the fruits thereof is sweet. /MP