The Challenge for All Teachers: A Wake-Up Call
Consalacion S. Muñoz
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is conducted every three (3) years since 2000. It is one of the most prominent student assessments globally, and definitely among the most influential in terms of research and policy. This international assessment “measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.”
Among the 79 participating countries, it showed that the Philippines ranked dead last in reading, ranked second to the last in both mathematics and science. With this drastic result, the Dep Ed Undersecretary Briones stated her message to all teachers, “Hamon na ang bawat Bata ay Bumabasa.”
Many articles display debates regarding the consequences on the implementation of K to 12 in our country. And so, one of these debates include the use of mother tongue and the exclusion of English subject from Grades 1 to 3. The ongoing debates have continuously alarmed the department because the quality of education it provides is not being questioned and at stake.
Indeed, the mother tongue is important in preserving the culture of every Filipino. Speaking the native language keeps the Filipino identity intact and alive in this fast paced and advancement in technology. As an elementary teacher, I also have yet to know more Kapampangan words so that my pupils will be able to understand the relevance of such language to their lives as Kapampangans. Many studies have stated that successful students are those who know and use their native language just as other countries that preserved it like Japan, Russia, Germany and many more. In our case, we aim not only for national economic and academic growth but also internationally. That is why, English is an essential learning area ever since.
However, this PISA result has thrown questions on the impact of MTB MLE on the reading performance of students in English. It might be one of the reasons why students experience difficulty in learning other language at Grades 4 to 12. There are some studies that say that learning a language is best at a very young age.
These are just some of the national trending issues in the Philippine Education and there are now growing programs and projects to resolve this issue despite of the debates that are raised.
Reference https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/246384-analysis-dismal-programme-international-student-assessment-rankings-wake-up-call-filipinos
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The author is Teacher II at Sta. Cruz Elementary School, Magalang
Pampanga