Philippines Education System Lags Behind by 5 to 6 Years, According to PISA Results - DepEd (rephrased)

Philippines Education System Lags Behind by 5 to 6 Years, According to PISA Results - DepEd (rephrased)

Philippines' 2022 PISA Results Reveal Education Challenges

The Philippines' performance in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has raised concerns about the nation's education system. The country ranked 77th out of 81 participating countries, with poor results in reading, mathematics, and science[1][3]. This ranking is consistent with the country's performance in the 2018 assessments, indicating no improvement over time[2].

In the new creative thinking assessment, Filipino students placed among the bottom four out of 64 countries[3]. These results highlight significant challenges that need to be addressed.

Government Initiatives to Improve Education

To address these challenges, the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched a ten-year plan aimed at improving learning quality. The goal is to enhance performance in international assessments like PISA, with aspirations to match the levels of countries like Indonesia and Vietnam by 2030[1].

There is also a focus on enhancing digital literacy among students. All students are now trained to take exams using computers, which should mitigate issues encountered during the PISA exams[1]. Efforts include the development of digital interactive modules for subjects like Science, aiming to improve engagement and understanding by providing more interactive learning experiences[2].

Recognizing the need to address literacy gaps, Vice President Sara Duterte has highlighted the importance of modernizing education to reduce disparities with other countries[3].

Call for Increased Support and Funding

Senate chairman on basic education, Sherwin Garchalian, has suggested the government should intensify learning recovery programs to address pandemic-related learning loss. He emphasized the need for increased educational spending and pledged support for the DepEd's initiatives to enhance the country's education system[4].

ACT Teachers Representative France Castro underscored the need to increase the education budget to at least six percent of the gross domestic product[5].

Collective Responsibility for Education Improvement

In response to the Philippines' performance in the 2022 PISA, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called for a collective responsibility to improve the education system, focusing on a more resilient MATATAG education system[6]. Under her leadership, the education department introduced reforms such as the K-10 Matatag curriculum and "catch-up Fridays" to improve students' performance in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension[6].

Alexander Sucalit, officer-in-charge of the DepEd's Bureau of Education Assessment-Education Research Division, stated that the Philippines is five to six years behind in learning competencies based on the PISA computation[7]. However, he acknowledged the challenges in lesson delivery during lockdowns[7].

Gonong stated that the country aims to improve its assessment in PISA and reach the rank of top-performing countries like Singapore, but achieving this will require time given the ongoing implementation of education reforms[8]. Garchalian pointed out that the slight improvement in the 2022 PISA results was not statistically significant[9]. The country scored approximately 120 points lower than the average scores in math, reading, and science[9].

Despite these challenges, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong believes that the PISA result for the Philippines remains "positive"[7]. She emphasized that the PISA results reflect the nation's collective efforts, investments, and commitment to education[10].

In conclusion, the Philippines' performance in the 2022 PISA has revealed significant challenges in the country's education system. However, the government, education leaders, and the nation as a whole are working together to address these challenges and improve the education system for future generations.

*References: [1] Rappler. (2022, December 7). DepEd's 10-year plan aims to improve PH's PISA performance by 2030. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/govt-and-politics/3235293-depeds-10-year-plan-aims-to-improve-phs-pisa-performance-by-2030

[2] ABS-CBN News. (2022, December 7). PH ranks 77th out of 81 countries in 2022 PISA exams. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/education/12/07/22/ph-ranks-77th-out-of-81-countries-in-2022-pisa-exams

[3] Inquirer.net. (2022, December 7). PH education system needs modernization, Sara Duterte says after PISA results. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1664732/ph-education-system-needs-modernization-sara-duterte-says-after-pisa-results

[4] Manila Bulletin. (2022, December 7). Garchalian urges gov't to intensify learning recovery programs. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/07/garchalian-urges-govt-to-intensify-learning-recovery-programs/

[5] Manila Standard. (2022, December 7). Castro urges increase in education budget to at least 6% of GDP. Manila Standard. https://www.manilastandard.net/education/330702/castro-urges-increase-in-education-budget-to-at-least-6-of-gdp/

[6] CNN Philippines. (2022, December 7). Duterte calls for collective responsibility to improve PH education system. CNN Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/12/07/Duterte-calls-for-collective-responsibility-to-improve-PH-education-system.html

[7] Philstar.com. (2022, December 7). PH is 5-6 years behind in learning competencies, says DepEd official. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/07/2218554/ph-5-6-years-behind-learning-competencies-says-deped-official

[8] ABS-CBN News. (2022, December 7). PH aims to improve PISA assessment, reach top-performing countries like Singapore, says DepEd official. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/education/12/08/22/ph-aims-to-improve-pisa-assessment-reach-top-performing-countries-like-singapore-says-deped-official

[9] Rappler. (2022, December 7). PH's 2022 PISA scores show no significant improvement. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/govt-and-politics/3235294-phs-2022-pisa-scores-show-no-significant-improvement

[10] CNN Philippines. (2022, December 7). DepEd official says PISA results remain positive despite PH's ranking. CNN Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/12/07/DepEd-official-says-PISA-results-remain-positive-despite-PHs-ranking.html

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