During the CNN’s live interview with Dr. Carl E. Balita, one netizen asked, “what educational reforms should be implemented to allow our students to catch up in Math and Science among ASEAN nations?”
According to Dr. Balita, we first need to conduct an overall evaluation on our education system across different levels in order to grasp what needs to improve.
“You cannot improve what you cannot measure. Ang unang una nating dapat gawin, kailangan magkaroon tayo ng massive assessment ng aptitude at competencies ng ating mga students across different levels.”
Dr. Balita added that it is time to have another Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) just like what the Philippines did during the 1990s. (EDCOM appraises and proposes reforms to the education system. In 1991, one proposal by the commission is to have a licensure examination for teacher in order to filter those who are competent to teach.)
“Ang apat na forces kung bakit dapat nating gawin ito ay (1) K-12: panahon na para makita natin [kung epektibo ba o hindi], (2) industry 4.0: [para malaman natin] ang kinakailangan ng world of work, (3) EDCOM 2, at syempre (4) post pandemic education: marami tayong kailangang gawing reforms in the post pandemic times at kailangan nating ma-align ang K-12 [dito],” the senatorial candidate said.
“[Kailangang] mag-usap-usap ang CHED, TESDA at DepEd [para ma-improve ang education system], at dapat maging student-centered and outcome-based ito. Huwag po nating kalilimutan na dalawang taon na tayo sa pandemya. Huwag nating sayangin ang gains na natutunan natin sa ating educational experiences.”
Aside from his platform to improve the educational system, Dr. Balita also noted that teachers should also be taken care of.
“[Finally], let’s take care of our teachers dahil kahit [gaano pa karami] ang pinag-usapan nating reforms, kung ang teachers natin ay mababa ang sweldo at masyadong madaming ginagawa, wala tayong pinag-uusapang edukasyon.”
