Half a century of PHL education and beyond in Dr. Mona Valisno’s latest book

Everyone has something to say about Philippine education, but few are more equipped to do so than Dr. Mona Valisno, former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary who served in the sector for nearly half a century, under five different presidents.

 

Valisno weighs in on the Philippine education system’s triumphs and defeats and the repercussions of these in her new book, “The Nation’s Journey to Greatness: Five Decades of the Philippine Educational System,” which was launched last month and welcomed formally by education sector leaders, foreign dignitaries, and even a former President.

 

“I see the book of Mona in this perspective: it is a view of fifty years, and also, it takes us beyond,” former President Fidel V. Ramos said at the launch.

 

Indeed, the book is as historical as it is forward-looking. Drawing both from extensive research and from her own experiences in the field, Valisno gives a detailed history of Philippine education, exploring and explaining the educational platforms of five Presidents from Marcos to Arroyo.

 

In eight chapters, Valisno discusses everything from the evolution of the basic education curriculum, to teacher education, and even the financial aspect of education.

 

More than that, she also assesses and underscores the potential problems that the system could face in the future, especially with such drastic changes such as the K-12 program taking effect.

 

“If there is one thing we can remember from Mona’s book, it is that learning is a lifelong process. It never ends,” Ramos said.

 

Heads of other education agencies, particularly the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said that the book urged them to elevate educational standards and improve the different aspects of education.

 

CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan said that while the book stressed her out, it reminded her of the things that needed to be done to address the problems in the Philippine education system.  

 

“There is nothing funny in Mona’s book,” she said. “Like its author, it is dead serious, and earnest.”

 

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said “reading this book convinced me that TESDA has a major responsibility.”

 

But even as the leaders of the education sector agreed that the book was an overwhelming picture of what Philippine education still lacks, Valisno’s successor, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, said that it is also a chronicle of the education sector’s successes.

 

“I’d like to look at it as a celebration of the accomplishments of our nation. I daresay that because whatever we are able to do in the field of education, we will certainly be able to gather and harvest in the next generation,” he said.

 

And even as she underscores the problems, Valisno also gives her expert recommendations, which according to former DepEd Undersecretary Isagani Cruz, “are not just based on theory and practice, but also on personal experience.”

 

Ultimately, the book looks to the future of education with optimism.

 

Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government said, “Secretary Valisno, you would have us all believe that this journey is possible.”

 

Luistro shared the sentiment, saying “If there’s anything that this book should leave us with, it is that sense of hope.” –KG/HS, GMA News