DepEd told to address problems in World Bank report, not seek apology
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker representing teachers has urged the Department of Education to give concrete plans for problems in the sector reflected in a World Bank report, instead of being "onion-skinned" and demanding an apology.
Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday objected to World Bank's findings that said Filipino students are not meeting the learning standards for their grade level.
The top education official sought for a public apology as she said the study used outdated information and failed to include the steps they have since taken on the matter.
But for Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers' party-list), the report only showed the effects of an education system neglected in funding, supporting teachers, and in responding to difficulties from distance learning.
"DepEd and the Duterte administration should be ashamed for its abandonment and negligence in the worsening education crisis in the country," she said on Tuesday, "not because the World Bank published a report."
Castro said it is government "insulting the Filipino people by putting education in its least priority." She added that the administration should ensure access for all under distance learning, as well as enough gadgets and aid for students and teachers, if it values the education sector.
DepEd chief Briones had said that the World Bank reached out to her to apologize, but insisted that it should address it to the country which she said was "insulted" and "shamed."
World Bank's study detailed that 80% of students "do not know what they should know" for their level, and flagged a crisis in Philippine education which was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was based on three global assessments from 2018 to 2019, which all showed the Philippines performing poorly.
The latest was the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study done in 2019 and released last year. It showed fourth graders ranking the least out of students in 58 countries.
DepEd then said it values the results of such assessments to identify gaps in curriculum and learning. The agency added that it has formed a technical working group to prepare students in the next studies.
"We challenge the Department of Education to heed the demands of our teachers and students for better access to quality education," Castro said. "Stop being onion-skinned with the publication of a report that simply reflected the realities of the education situation in the country and do its job."
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