Marina C.

Legaspi

Dr. Elisa Manalac

Legal Issues on Education

December 26,2014

The essay is about Issues and Concerns of Philippine Education Through the
Years written by Joel M. Durban and Ruby Durban Catalan . It was published at the
Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities dated May ,2012 . The authors
discussed how the Educational System started in the Philippines . From the Spaniards
to the Americans to the Japanese even during the Liberation period up to EDSA
Revolution .
According to the author during the time of Spaniards education was selective . It
is more of a privilege than right . While in the American period public school system
was established all over the country . English was medium of instruction . It widens the
gap between the elite and Filipino masses . They learned everything American , no
nationalism in their heart . However during Japanese period they destroyed the public
schools system by manipulating it for their advantage. Then in 1950s this was
characterized by rapid economic growth . In 1960s the rise of student activist was the
fueled by the education crisis . Then the EDSA people power revolution, new concepts
were introduced such as school for the people , democratic and relevant education and
education as a right not a privilege emerged and taken up by the civil society .
The above mentioned was part of the history it happened already and we cannot
change it . The best thing about this is that we should learned from the past , we
learned from the mistakes of other people .Therefore we should not commit the same
mistake that they did .
The authors discussed several issues of Philippine Educational System in
order to improve the delivery of education to the most number of the population .Being
part of the public school system for twenty years now . I am very familiar with some of
the problems that they mentioned . Like the problems regarding the lack of
instructional materials , inadequate facilities , and lack of training for professional growth
hindered the teachers to perform at their best . For example the implementation of K to
12 .Teachers were asked to teach without the modules to be used or if there modules
available the quantity is not enough for the number of students.
Increasing the drop out rate is also a big problem in our educational system .
Although the government is implementing other measure just to keep children in
school . Like the 4Ps ( Pantawid Pamilyang Pinoy Program ) where the indigent family

will receive a certain amount for every child in the family who goes to school .
Nonetheless this does not solve the problem of drop out students .

According to the author another important issue is the constant implementation

programs in education which are not properly monitored or programs/ projects
discontinued because of the change of administration . The authors also mentioned
about the Bridge Program that was implemented a few years ago . I can attest to that
many of my students who became a victim of this program. After one year of
implementation it was discontinued .
Reading an essay regarding issues affecting the educational system is a big help
for me as a future leader . Now that I am planning to pursue a Masters Degree
Program on Curriculum and Instruction I am now more aware of problems in our
educational system . If given a chance to work in the Department of Education I will
make sure that the curriculum is appropriate to the needs of the student and will match
to the need of the industry . I will also make sure that it is properly monitored and
properly implemented .
Another problem is the overloaded curriculum I agree with what the author said
that because there are too many subjects that need to be studied , the problem is the
difficulty in knowledge and skills absorption among our students .
As an educator , my recommendation regarding on this essay is that the
Department of Education should give more training to the teachers before asking them
to implement a certain program and provide the necessary materials.
With regards to the drop out rate giving an incentive is not enough . Parents
orientation should be done regarding the importance of education and how this will
solve some of their problems like poverty and even crimes.
I also believe that teaching is a noble profession but I think it is about time to
give teachers non monetary incentive like for example providing at least for basic
medical expenses .We should invest on teachers also.
Since I am a values education teacher , I strongly recommend that values
reorientation of the Filipinos should start at a very young age . Teaching values
education is very essential especially now that there are many factors affecting
students behaviour . I agree with what the author mentioned in this essay that values
transformation should also be done to some of the teachers . The Department of

Education should be more strict in dealing with cases involving teachers in some of
immoral acts like sexual harassment , extra marital affair , pregnancy and the like .