Private schools group vows quality education despite no in-person classes

A group of private schools’ associations on Thursday expressed confidence that the academic institutions can still provide quality education without face-to-face classes.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) managing director Joseph Noel Estrada said the education offered by the schools will still meet standards.

“Meron namang mga minimum submissions na kailangan din ibigay sa Department of Education at sa Commission on Higher Education,” Estrada said.

“Para meron din namang level of confidence 'yung ating mga magulang na ipapadala nila sa flexible learning options na ito ay maayos pa rin,” he added.

Based on the 2019 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, the Philippines ranked lowest in math and science, while over 80 percent of students fell below the minimum level of reading proficiency.

Estrada said that there will be a better chance to improve the performance of Philippine students in the global ranking with the focused teaching on essential learning under the adjusted curriculum.

"This is an opportunity for us, sa palagay ko. Mas mapapaganda pa ngayon dahil we are forced to focus on the essentials of learning, on core subjects and learning areas,” he said.

“Yung mga dating pampadagdag lang, mababawasan, aalisin natin, and we focus on those that will help the child develop proficiency in the core learning areas,” he added.

Even in public schools, the Department of Education said it will use a simpler curriculum for students during the pandemic crisis.

COCOPEA has around 2,000  private education institution members with around four million basic education learners  and over a million college students in the country, Estrada said. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News