Teachers’ group prods gov’t to prioritize education, address woes

This file photo shows students attending a flag raising ceremony before singing the national anthem at a government school in Manila. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The news that only one public school in Metro Manila scored above the minimum proficiency level in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a “stark reminder” and “dire consequence” of the national government’s neglect in addressing public school system issues in the country, according to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). 

ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said the global comprehension survey result was expected since “education remains underfunded as teachers endure underpaid and overworked conditions.”

“The fact that only one public school managed to meet the minimum proficiency level in the PISA assessment should serve as a wake-up call to the Marcos Jr. administration and the DepEd,” Quetua said in a statement on Thursday. 

“It is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of their neglect in addressing massive shortages in teachers, classrooms, teaching and learning materials, and even education support personnel, leaving our teachers grappling with limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, oversized classes, and inconducive learning environment while trying to make ends meet,” he added. 

The 2022 PISA result was confirmed by Department of Education National Capital Region Director Jocelyn Andaya during the Senate’s motu proprio hearing on the matter last Monday.

Andaya said that 21 schools in Metro Manila participated in the assessment, but only one public school and five private schools made the cut.  

“Hindi sapat ang pag-uulat lamang ng mga hindi signipikanteng datos taun-taon sa Basic Education Report. Dapat na itugma ito sa tunay na pangangailangan. Malaking bagay din kung itataas sa nakabubuhay at disenteng antas ang sweldo ng mga guro at alisin ang mga trabahong walang kinalaman sa pagtuturo,” Quetua stressed. 

(It’s not enough to report insignificant yearly data on the Basic Education Report. We should address the needs of teachers, raise their salaries, and remove unnecessary load from them unrelated to teaching.)

“Imbis na pag-amyenda sa Konstitusyon ang inaatupag ng mga mambabatas at ng Pangulo, dapat na ituon ng gobyerno ang atensyon nito sa lumalalang krisis sa edukasyon. Imbis na kung anu-anong hangarin at interes ang inuuna, dapat na edukasyon at serbisyong panlipunan ang bigyang prayoridad para sa direktang kapakinabangan ng kabataan, guro, at mamamayan,” he added.

(Instead of amending the Constitution, lawmakers and the President should focus on addressing the education crisis. Instead of focusing on their personal interests, education, and public service should be prioritized for the benefit and welfare of the youth, educators, and Filipino citizens.)

Prior to ACT’s statement, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lamented the results, saying that the country’s poor ranking in the program revealed what she called an “uncomfortable truth” about the Philippine education system.