by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
The Kapihan at Smokehauz Resto & Bar on May 12, 2012 delved on Basic and Tertiary Education. Guests are Dr. Danilo E. Abayon, President, Aklan State University and Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, Schools Division Superintendent.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino pointed out that our Constitution underscores quality education as a (basic) right extended to all citizens. This is affirmed by the Philippines being a signatory to UN declaration: “Education for all.” Undoubtedly, we succeeded in our mission despite hindrances fostered by limited budget and physical resources due to our genuine love for education and quest for a better life.
Some urgent issues addressed are: a) impact of globalization to tertiary education, b) quality and efficiency of tertiary education in the Philippines and c) K to12 program based on empirical research.
Dr. Abayon stated that tertiary education has the highest degree of academic competence and specialization offered by an institution of learning Aklan State University (ASU). Policies ASU instituted on various disciplines like instruction, research, extension and production are maintained and monitored at optimum level because of internal and external demands of the academe and members of Congress.
NEDA headed strategic planning in the Aquino Administration is amalgamation, aimed to establish one Regional University based on typology. This means identification based on superior products/services and number of faculty members with master or doctorate degrees actually engaged in basic research.
With the first phase completed on integration, ASU in 5 campuses underwent modification in its academic curriculum like Ibajay campus from agro-industrial to Tourism and Rural Development, ASU Kalibo – Industrial Technology, New Washington – Fisheries and Marine Resources, Makato – Teacher Education and Banga main campus – Agriculture Education.
The proposed amalgamation policy only means two things: a) governance of one Regional Administrator, and b) appointment of one President based on typology such as veterinary medicine, agriculture, and industrial education.
Dr. Abayon is confident NEDA may adopt, ASU’s agricultural education for Region 6. Enrolment in freshmen agriculture course increased from 25 in SY 2010 – 11 to 90 in SY 2011 – 12. Agriculture graduates must pass the Professional Licensure exam if one desires to seek public employment.
Dr. Gomez explained K to 12 basic education is compulsory. It starts at kindergarten, one year; six years elementary; four years junior high school, and two years senior high school. DepEd, in consultation with CHED and TESDA designed the K to 12 to address globalization demands in the jobs market. In Asia, only the Philippines provides 10 year basic education. Hence, comparatively poor international performance in achievement tests on science and mathematics.
RA 10157 approved early this year establishes kindergarten, Grade I to III pupils, the medium of instruction is mother tongue although private institutions may opt to have English. The Junior high school remains the same, but in the senior high school, there are areas of specialization either: a) technical/vocational, b) entrepreneurship, or c) academics.
The 2012 national budget is P1.816 trillion. DepEd gets P230.8 billion of it. It is huge but still inadequate. The budget for salaries of kindergarten teachers effective 2012-2013 is P5.7 billion but DBM approved P2 billion only. While kindergarten is compulsory, only 3,000 teachers are holding permanent items, the majority receives P3,000 per month honorarium.
Where the minimum pupils per classroom is 40, the actual is 60-80. Basic textbooks are shared by pupils at 1:3 ratio. Primary and secondary education are free as per Gaspe Law. Parents pay string of regulatory fees such as boy/girl scout, water and light, security, PTA and others.
Our current crop of college graduates is hardly employable due to poor communication skills and mismatch to job openings. Data shows 95 percent of applicants with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and tourist oriented establishments in Boracay fail during job interviews. Job applicants’ English proficiency has deterio-rated over the years.
The use of mother tongue in child’s formative education and or extensive use of Tagalog inside the classrooms has resulted to abysmal decline in English proficiency. To hit global labor market targets, English language skills program must be strengthened. The use of dialect confuses the children and impairs their learning capacity.
The K to 12 and amalgamation in basic and tertiary educations are pioneering programs that need close watching. Clearly a highly centralized option is targeted in amalgamation as against autonomy. The K to 12 is a noble concept but seriously flawed in its design to prepare youths for employment. It is preferable to emphasize entrepreneurship and academic excellence since local employment is scarce. /MP
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