EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Archie S. David
To us, Filipinos, knowledge is acquired through education. Although we generally agree that education can be obtained inside and outside school, we believe that the primary sources of knowledge are the schools. Thus, the higher a person goes up the formal educational ladder, the more knowledge he or she acquires and expectedly, the more wealth he generates. In our society, wealth is synonymous to having power, influence, and social prestige. Thus, earning a college diploma means acquiring the key to social and economic success. It is, therefore, the ultimate ambition of every Filipino household to send at least one child to college, preferably the oldest, regardless of the sacrifices required so that he may take care of a younger sibling’s education, who in turn can assume the obligation of sending the other younger sibling, and so on. Our perception of schooling reveals our clear idea of the purpose of formal education. We even look at it as a process of human capital formation, which shows how we value the importance of education.
Our educational system has been assailed by various sectors of the society for its deficiencies, which have allegedly led to the deterioration of quality. Quality education does not take place under a tree, but in a favorable environment with the basic components of schooling such as classroom, textbooks, desks and chairs. The standard of education is directly correlated with the level of economic progress of a country whose development depends to a large degree on the amount of resources invested in education and the extent to which this investment succeeds in enhancing the productivity of its people. For many years, our government has been focusing on the improvement of the education system; even mentioning in our constitution that it should have the highest budgetary priority of the government.
The best way to reduce poverty and provide safety nets for the sectors affected by globalization is through investment in education and training. The bigger bulk of education still goes to the basic, obviously. For in the first few years, the child learns of the things that will mold him into being a responsible member of the society. It is about time we set our standards higher and stop being contented with what is being provided, because we all know that we can’t live with just hopes that someday the classrooms will be enough, the chairs will be fixed, and the ratio of books to students will be 1:1 – we have to do something. Toward economic recovery and sustainable growth, as well as to enhance our employability, productivity and self-reliance is also a primary objective of schooling. We have to face the challenge and do well in getting along positively with the changes that globalization bring.
Quality education does not take place under a tree, but as Filipinos, we know that it can help us learn how to adapt and try to make sense out of everything. We are a people of appreciation, and our ultimate ambition is meant to not just survive through tests – it is meant to thrive.
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The author is Administrative Assistant
II at Minalin District, Minalin, Pampanga