The Education Crisis, Part 2

LAST WEEK, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio spoke to teachers around the country. A good move. Now is the time for the Department of Education (DepEd) to adopt a conciliatory tone. I hope teachers are able to respond positively. It is vital that our teachers have an upbeat attitude towards their work.

It was reported that teachers will have a 30-day rest without any DepEd- mandated volunteer work when the school year closes, including Brigada Eskwela and summer learning camps.

“DepEd-mandated volunteer work”, is, of course, a silly oxymoron which is guaranteed to depress teacher morale. We hope DepEd will avoid this manipulative nonsense in the future. Even DepEd should understand that a mandated activity, by definition, cannot be voluntary.

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On Friday, Sept. 8, Duterte-Carpio spoke to teachers at the Panaad Park and Stadium, Bacolod City. A PN photograph of this event showed numerous teachers. Without wishing to be churlish, I have to assert that none of the teachers appeared to be in a celebratory mood.

“DepEd’s vision is to provide innovative, long-term solutions to basic education challenges”, Duterte told the assembled throng. She mentioned the reduction of administrative tasks from 56 to 11. I hope this engenders a much-needed improvement in teacher morale.

Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson also addressed the gathering. He said: “You can count on your provincial government to empower and assist you. I applaud the high standards you have set for your students and fellow teachers”. Lacson recognized that the task of educating our children should not rest solely on the shoulders of teachers but should be a shared responsibility. Well said!

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Another problem has arisen with regard to the reduction of enrollees for this scholastic year (2023-2024). It was estimated that 28.8 million students would enroll, but the second week of classes ended with only 26.3 million officially enrolled students in elementary and high school. The shortfall of 2.5 million is serious.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has excoriated DepEd for its continued failure to address the shortage of classrooms (150,000 is admitted by DepEd).

It may be that some parents feel unable to shoulder the costs involved in sending their children to school. If so, the Constitution may be able to help.

Article XIV Section 1 (3) says: “Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.”

Gov. Lacson has said that he wants to know the reason behind the drop in enrollment.

Cost is likely to be a factor.

I hope this can be addressed./PN