The Department of Education (DepEd) recently unveiled the Public and Private Education Complementarity Framework during the 2023 Private Education National Conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. This framework aims to bridge the gaps between the public and private sectors of education, ensuring that learners in public schools receive the same quality of education as their counterparts in private schools.
Recognizing the importance of coherence in the development of the mixed education system in the Philippines, the framework serves as a guide to decongest public schools and promote collaboration between public and private institutions. The goal is to provide equal opportunities for Filipino learners, regardless of whether they attend public or private schools, to learn and reach their full potential.
The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the education landscape, leading to an influx of students transferring from private to public schools. This shift has resulted in the closure of many private schools and overcrowding in public institutions. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, in a statement delivered by DepEd Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo, acknowledged the challenges brought about by the pandemic and the need to address the weaknesses in the education system.
“The pandemic forced us to confront the shortcomings of our education system. With many Filipinos losing their jobs and the uncertainty surrounding us, parents were compelled to enroll their children in public schools. This experience highlighted the overwhelming demand for quality education, surpassing the capacity of our public schools,” Duterte emphasized.
To address these issues, the complementarity framework not only aims to alleviate the congestion in public schools but also extends access to quality education for students from low-income families. By leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors, the framework fosters a collaborative environment where schools work together to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities in Philippine education today.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate basic education committee, commended the DepEd initiative, emphasizing that it will contribute to improving the quality of education for all Filipino learners. He referenced the poor performance of Filipino students in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and highlighted the potential to learn from private schools to enhance public school education.
“Private school students consistently outperform their public school counterparts. This indicates that there are valuable lessons we can learn from private schools and apply to public schools. One aspect that stands out is the collaboration between sectors to improve the quality of education,” Gatchalian stated.
The Public and Private Education Complementarity Framework is a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by the Philippine education system. By promoting collaboration and sharing best practices between public and private schools, the framework aims to create a more equitable and inclusive education system that benefits all Filipino learners. Through this initiative, the Department of Education reaffirms its commitment to providing quality education and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Source: The Manila Times
