CHANGES AND CHALLENGES IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

Alona S. Tanig

Constant Change is, indeed, the only permanent in this world. And Education System is no exception.

As a public school teacher for 9 years now, I have already witnessed 2 major changes in the Philippine Education System.

The shift to K to 12 program in 2012 as the 1st major change received different reactions. Several parents were against it because of the additional 2 years of schooling before going to college. Even some legislators said that the government was not yet ready considering that our country was one of the 3 countries all over the world that did not implement K to 12 program before. With that changes of course challenges are seen, especially on the part of the teachers, like new way of computing grades, new forms to furnish, various reports , integration of other discipline in your subject and most of all is the use of technology like projector, smart TV in teaching our lessons. We have also been advised to promote the program to the parents since it is new to the ears. The program was fully implemented last 2018, and the effect especially to our economy is not yet evident.

The pressing concern on K to 12 program has not yet been fully addressed. Here comes the 2nd major change which has to promote the distance learning method. Due to current crisis we are facing right, DepEd are doing immediate action on delivery mode of learning. The Department believes that education must not stop whatever calamities or emergency crisis we have to deal with. Learners must continue their schooling in any way possible without sacrificing their health and safety. Be it face to face, distance learning, online learning, modular learning, homeschooling, or blended learning, the government has given its full support to fund the necessary needed education materials to deliver quality education. Perhaps training teachers, providing gadgets with internet connection, and making parents and students ready for it are all the expected obstacles in the new way of learning caused by the pandemic. However, our Deped Secretary Maam Briones is very optimistic with this plan, that we can still have a Dekalidad na Edukasyon with this distance learning, That is why she insisted to our president that we can pursue our classes even without the vaccine yet. With what is yet to come we just entrust it all to our Almighty God who holds our future.

Fingers crossed this coming Opening of classes on August 24, 2020.

--o0o-

The author is Teacher II at Sto. Rosario National High School, Minalin,

Pampanga