President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) to take immediate action in order to enhance the Philippines’ performance in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The President’s directive came after learning that the Philippines ranked among the bottom 10 out of 81 participating countries in the study, which evaluates student literacy in reading, mathematics, and science.
During a briefing in Malacañang, Education Undersecretaries Michael Poa and Gina Gonong shared that President Marcos expressed his determination to see improvements in the country’s performance. He emphasized the need for the DepEd to prioritize teacher support, teacher quality, and address issues such as bullying and proper nutrition among students.
The PISA assessment involved a total of 7,193 Filipino students from 188 schools, 106 divisions, and 16 regions, representing approximately 83 percent of the total population of 15-year-old students in the country. The test was conducted using a computer-based format.
Undersecretary Gonong highlighted that President Marcos was not disappointed, but rather motivated to push for progress in PISA results and overall student performance. The President firmly believes that by focusing on teacher support, improving teacher quality, and addressing issues like bullying and proper nutrition, there can be a significant improvement of around 60 percent in students’ learning capacity and teaching quality.
To support this initiative, the government allocated a budget of P5.6 billion last year, which has been increased to P11.7 billion this year. This increase in funding will allow for the implementation of a year-long feeding program, which aims to ensure that students have access to proper nutrition.
Undersecretary Gonong emphasized the urgency of collaboration with other agencies to address the immediate needs in terms of nutrition, the national learning recovery program, and teacher welfare. These actions need to be implemented promptly to drive positive changes in the education system.
Improving the Philippines’ performance in the PISA assessment is crucial for the country’s educational development. By focusing on teacher support and quality, as well as addressing issues like bullying and nutrition, the DepEd aims to enhance students’ learning capacity and overall educational outcomes.
It is important to note that the President’s directive aligns with the global trend of prioritizing education and ensuring that students have the necessary resources and support to succeed. By taking action to improve the Philippines’ performance in PISA, the government demonstrates its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students.
In conclusion, President Marcos Jr. has directed the DepEd to prioritize efforts to enhance the Philippines’ performance in the PISA assessment. By focusing on teacher support, teacher quality, and addressing issues like bullying and proper nutrition, the government aims to significantly improve students’ learning capacity and overall educational outcomes. The increased budget allocation for this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to providing a high-quality education for all Filipino students.
Source: The Manila Times
