AS THE country prepares for the commencement exercises of academic year 2023-2024 and readies itself for the next one, we continue to see the challenges facing the education sector.
In essence the challenges are complex and multifaceted, ranging from poverty to armed conflict, lack of resources and infrastructure, and the digital divide.
Education experts say addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach, including strategies to create more job opportunities, improve social services, and support education and skills development, as well as providing alternative learning opportunities in conflict-affected areas and investing in education infrastructure.
We see issues in basic education like gaps in quality and access to education, inadequate readiness for internationalization, challenges in implementing Education for Sustainable Development, and a lack of alignment between the written and implemented curriculum.
Another issue facing the education system is the lack of resources and infrastructure in many schools, especially in rural areas.
The challenges faced by students during online learning include difficulty clarifying topics with teachers, lack of study or working area, and lack of a good internet connection.
The challenges include vague module content, poor internet connectivity, lack of teacher’s guidance and motivation, financial problems, stress/psychological pressure, insufficient learning materials, overloaded academic activities, conflict with household chores, personal factors, and poor and inadequate learning environment.
According to a report by the Department of Education, around 5,000 schools in the Philippines have no access to electricity, while 10,000 have no access to potable water.
This lack of basic amenities puts students and teachers at a significant disadvantage, affecting the quality of education they receive. In addition, many schools lack adequate classrooms, textbooks, and teaching materials, making it challenging for students to learn effectively.
This challenge is not only limited to rural areas but is also present in urban areas.
The lack of resources and infrastructure in schools affects the quality of education that students receive.
Without proper facilities, students may not be able to attend classes regularly, or they may be distracted by external factors, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.
The lack of textbooks and teaching materials also hinders the learning process, as students may not have access to the necessary information to understand the concepts taught in class, experts have observed.
We give it to the government which has invested in infrastructure projects to improve schools’ facilities.
Instance, the government has constructed classrooms, provided electricity, and installed water systems in schools that lacked these amenities.
One indicator of the country’s state of basic education is the performance in the Program for International Student Assessment or PISA which showed dismal bottom ranking of the Philippines – 78/78 in 2018 and 77/81 in 2022.