THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION

MARGIE D. FERRER

"Quality education" has been the promising line of the Department of Education (DepEd) since time immemorial. Teachers or instructors are the ones who are dutybound to put "quality" on education since they personally engage with students. But, what really is "quality education?"

Quality education is not merely imparting knowledge and expertise to the students but it goes beyond the confines of the four-cornered classroom, or in a more modernized approach, the confines of the commencement until the conclusion of an online class. It is not measured by the number of lessons that a teacher finishes in a school year, but by the depth of the learning of each student that they can apply in their practical lives. In short, it is a holistic approach that nurtures the curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking of a student.

However, how can the DepEd ascertain that this advocacy is being achieved and maintained? By implementing an up-to-date, innovative, and pragmatic curriculum as well as extracurricular activities that every institution should follow. By this, over the years, teachers are also duty-bound not only to teach but also to accomplish administrative work which leaves them to prioritize the accomplishment of those tasks, which affects their performance and productivity in ensuring that education is still quality.

Good thing that DepEd observed this alarming practice, and the DO 002, S. 2024 – Immediate Removal of Administrative Tasks of Public School Teachers. And advised them to just focus on teaching. Now, instructors are expected to cater to more needs of their students in terms of education-related matters as well as other necessities to achieve "quality" education.

In conclusion, since the administration implements regulations that the instructors are bound to uphold and follow, it is proper to say that they have a huge and vital role in making education quality for the Filipino people

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at San Vicente San Francisco High School