THE PHILIPPINES EDUCATION SYSTEM'S BIG MYSTERY: THE CULTURE OF MASS PROMOTION

ROSE ANN M. MANLULU

The Philippines education system has long been plagued by a culture of mass promotion, where students are automatically passed to the next grade level regardless of their academic performance. This practice has been criticized for contributing to the decline in the quality of education in the country.

One of the reasons behind the culture of mass promotion is the pressure on schools and teachers to maintain a high enrollment rate. This means that schools are eager to keep students from dropping out, and one way to do this is to promote them to the next grade level, even if they are not ready for it.

Another reason is the lack of resources and support for struggling students. Many schools do not have the necessary facilities, materials, or personnel to provide students with the extra help they need to catch up with their peers. Instead, they resort to mass promotion to avoid the problem altogether.

However, experts argue that mass promotion only exacerbates the problem by creating a cycle of underprepared students who struggle to keep up with their coursework, leading to a higher dropout rate and a lower quality of education overall.

To address this issue, the Philippines education system needs to shift its focus from enrollment rates to quality education. This means providing schools with the necessary resources and support to help struggling students, and holding them accountable for their students' academic performance. Only then can the culture of mass promotion be eradicated, and students receive the education they deserve.

oOo

THE AUTHOR IS A TEACHER II AT MABICAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL