EARLIER this month it was reported that Grade 12 students in all public and private schools will take the National Achievement Test (NAT). It is a two-day activity due on 30 and 31 January. So to-day is the second of these two days and I hope students will be able to do themselves justice in the examination.
The test covers the fundamental learning areas of the Senior High School curriculum. These include Languages, Humanities, Communication, Mathematics, Social Science, and Philosophy.
Phew!
The exam uses a multiple-choice format. I suppose this is necessary due to the large number of students taking the test. I am not a fan of multiple-choice, particularly when many of the subjects taken are inherently discursive in nature. It would be helpful if students had to write essays on the subjects they encountered. Never mind. Multiple choice exams are easier to grade so that when so many are taking the test I suppose there is little alternative.
Multiple choice examinations consists of each questions having alternative suggested answers. There is one correct answer which the examinee needs to find. The other answers, called ‘deflectors’, are incorrect so that a student choosing one of these gets no marks for the wrong answer.
We hope the Department of Education (DepEd) gives publicity to the results. It may be that this publicity shows that all is not well with the students’ performance. This is to be expected, of course, due to COVID and the difficulties some students found in returning to normal.
This is not a fault-finding exercise and we should all try to accentuate the positive in the results obtained.
The results will provide data on the percentage of Grade 12 learners attaining at least the minimum level of proficiency in the Stage 4 Senior High School core areas.
Each student will receive a certificate with their rating in each subject.
DepEd’s Bureau of Education Assessment will manage the national implementation of the exam with the assistance of the regional and school division offices.
This is a welcome development. Exam administration is time-consuming but I believe it is important that exams are regularly carried out.
The results are significant. They will show what needs to be done to improve matters.
Exams should be used for all grade levels.
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This week, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte is due to present her term’s agenda for the education sector and the challenges it faces.
DepEd spokesman Michael Poa recently said: “After presenting the challenges, the Department will also outline its plans and initiatives to resolve these challenges”. Well said!
Many stakeholders, especially parents, are eagerly looking forward to the results.
Hopefully, a vigorous national conversation will take place and that useful outcomes will be found.
Educational attainment is a vital component in the fight against poverty. A well-educated workforce can handle demanding employment which ultimately should result in greater incomes./PN
