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II. SUMMARY
THE PHILIPPINE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM:
In the Philippines, basic education is one of the shortest in the world. This is
composed of ten years where: six years of elementary and four years of
secondary education. A pupil enters elementary education at 6 or 7 years of age
and by age 11, he/she completes elementary education. At age 12 or 13, a
Filipino child is at the secondary level. After completing basic education at the
age of 15 or 16, a Filipino youth then proceeds to institutions of higher learning
either to obtain a college degree, earn a certificate from a post-secondary
vocational/technical institution, enter the work force, or be included in the
growing number of the unemployed and under employed.
AGGRAVATING FACTORS
The dismal picture presented where student survival rate is slim is further
aggravated by the shortages in Classroom, Textbook, Seats , and Teachers.
Observing the succeeding data presents the gravity of the situation which calls
for proper attention.
Shortages... Shortages.
The table below presents the worsening number of classroom and teacher
deficit. Addressing the shortage in textbook is a good indicator as well as
decrease in the shortages in seats. However, the figure shows the geometrical
increase of 686 % in classroom shortage and arithmetic increase of 31% in
teacher shortage.
Teacher Exodus
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Data reveals that
1,666 Filipino teachers leave the country every year to teach in Africa, Europe and
Asia while other work as caregivers and domestic help in the Middle East,
Hongkong and Singapore.
The table below shows the comparison of the Net Income that received by
Teachers in selected countries as of Year 2005. Figures on these countries were
Considered since they are the prime destination for our teachers. It is observed
that the Philippine Teachers average net income for one year is even less
compared to one-month average net income of teachers in the United States.
Our closest neighbor, Thailand, has a 64% higher average net income of teachers
compared to the Philippines. Countries in the which includes South Korea, Japan,
Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom have their teachers average net
income of 9 to 15 times compared to Philippine Teachers.
Table VI. 2005 Teachers Income Comparison with Selected Countries
COUNTRY Average Weekly Hours
Net Income in US$ Work Requirement
United States $ 4,055 36.6
United Kingdom $ 3,568 32.5
Australia $ 2,742 39.1
Canada $ 2,236 31.1
Japan $ 2,961 No data
South Korea $ 2,096 39.7
Thailand $ 388 38.0
Philippines $ 237 40.0
Source: http://www.worldsalaries.org/teacher.shtml
If we are to continue our present teacher: pupil ratio which is 1 : 45, the
government should strictly consider addressing the present shortages in
classroom and teachers with due additional buffer for the 1.81 Million new
students annually (1.81Million is the actual new bonus per year).
The national toilet bowl to pupil ratio stands at 1:51 in primary schools and 1:102
in secondary schools. In the ARMM, its 1:171 in the elementary level and 1:250 in
the secondary level while in NCR, its 1:114 and 1:143, respectively.
III. CONCLUSION
Education as a Public Good was created to make sure that progress will
continue as citizens earns general knowledge and technological know-how. As
the greatest equalizer, education is very important for people in all strata that is
for the rich to ensure that they maintain and even upgrade their status in society,
and for poor to be competitive and eventually attain their desired economic
status.
Low quality of education give rise to private schools. The perception that
private schools offer better quality education makes many parents enroll their
children to this schools which is marred with commercialism. However, still majority
of Filipinos cannot afford sending their children to private schools for it is even hard
for many to even send children in public schools as indicated in low participation
rate.
The present administration has inherited flaws in the education system.
Shortages in classrooms, teachers, seats, books, and even toilet is a very big
problem that besiege the education process.
For a country whose biggest export is manpower / skilled workers, human
capital spending is a serious matter, and should be on the top priority of the
government.
An adage: sometimes no reaction is a reaction is indeed true much more
the inadequate reaction. International standard in the Education Departments
budget of allocating 6% of a countrys GDP come with basis, that is to ensure that
high standard of quality in education is met.
Outcome of the shortages in educations budget is clearly manifested in
different aspects. Effectiveness in learning is affected as we witness our students
fare low on diagnostic test in comparison with our neighbors countries.
Aggravating factors such as the exodus of teachers because of low
salaries, the student to teacher ratio, lack of facilities and other matters continue
to take its toll on our most valuable product: the Filipino.
It is true that the Arroyo administration inherited problems in education.
However, the government has the power to inflict change and not to worsen the
status quo. As Babe Ruth used to say, You can pay now and play later, or play
now and pay later. But either way, you will have to pay.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
V. REFERENCES
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/12/yehey/metro/20080912met1.
html
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/121226/Solon-reiterates-call-for-higher-teachers-
salary
http://www.adb.org/Education/philippines-country-analysis.pdf
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=14
3332
http://www.worldsalaries.org/teacher.shtml
http://www.abcte.org/how-we-help.
http://pinoyteachersnetwork.blogcity.com/brain_gain_not_brain_drain.htm
http://philippines.usaid.gov/documents/oed/education.pdf
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/97955/Philippine-education-still-in-crisis