STATUS OF MATHEMATICS SKILLS OF STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES ROWENA L. GARCIA

0athematics is a critical subMect in the Philippines as it serves as a foundation for Zisdom engineering economics and other fields that drive the countrys development still the status of mathematics chops among )ilipino scholars has been a cause of concern for numerous preceptors and policymaNers in recent times $ccording to the results of the 0 Program for ,nternational 6tudent $ssessment P,6$ Zhich measures the performance of - time-old scholars in calculation Zisdom and reading the Philippines ranNed th out of countries in mathematics 7his is a significant decline from the country s 0 ranNing of nd place indicating a Zorrying trend in the state of mathematics education in the Philippines 2ne of the reasons behind the poor performance of )ilipino scholars in mathematics is the lacN of coffers and bacNing for education 1umerous seminaries particularly those in pastoral areas struggle to give acceptable installations handbooNs and preceptors Zith the necessary Tualifications to educate mathematics effectively ,n addition numerous scholars Zarrant access to computers and the internet Zhich limits their capability to engage in online literacy and gain e[posure to neZ tutoring styles $nother factor that contributes to the loZ mathematics chops of )ilipino scholars is the tutoring styles used in numerous seminaries 7raditional tutoring styles that calculate rote memori]ation and reiteration of formulas can discourage scholars from developing critical thinNing chops and problem- ZorNing capacities Zhich are essential for success in mathematics $lso there s a deficit of good calculation preceptors in the country leading to numerous classes being tutored by preceptors Zith little or no training in mathematics 'espite these challenges there are sZeats being made to ameliorate the state of mathematics education in the Philippines 7he government has launched several enterprises similar as the .- program Zhich aims to give scholars a further comprehensive education that includes advanced mathematics and other 67(0 subMects liNeZise the 'epartment of (ducation has partnered Zith colorful associations to give training and coffers for calculation preceptors similar as the 0athematics &oaches *uild Philippines and the Philippine &ouncil of 0athematics schoolteacher preceptors 6everal private institutions have also stepped up to give innovative results to ameliorate mathematics education in the Philippines )or case the 0athematics (ducation &linic anon-profit association offers free calculation tutorials and shops to underprivileged scholars across the country $nother illustration is the 0ath'ali program a 79 shoZ that teaches mathematics in a fun and engaging Zay targeting abecedarian academy scholars ,n conclusion the status of mathematics chops among )ilipino scholars remains a cause for concern 6till Zith the government s enterprise and the sZeats of private institutions there s a stopgap that the situation can be bettered $ further comprehensive approach to mathematics education including better coffers schoolteacher training and innovative tutoring styles is necessary to ensure that )ilipino scholars are eTuipped Zith the chops they need to succeed in the future

-o2o7he author is 7eacher ,, at 6ampaga +igh 6chool