Gatchalian opposes no-fail policy bid, says it will undercut learning process

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday expressed opposition to the proposal to automatic pass students in the face of COVID-19 emergency, saying it will have long-term impact and may do more harm than good to student learning.

“Hindi ako sang-ayon diyan dahil may mga bata talagang mahina, halimbawa, sa Math, Reading, o sa Science. Kung ipapasa mo lahat, paano mo malalaman kung saan siya mahina?” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

“Imbes na matulungan natin sila, lalo lang natin silang pahihirapan pag-akyat na sa susunod na baitang.  Yung mga pagsasanay sa iba’t-ibang mga subjects ay para malaman kung saan po sila mahina,” he pointed out.

Gatchalian reiterated the point that the assessment of learners should focus not only on the competencies that they are acquiring, but also in areas where they are struggling.

He warned that learners allowed to proceed to the next grade level without receiving interventions in areas where they are weak will continue underperforming.

Gatchalian cited learning assessment results of the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019, and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2019, which show that  Filipino learners trailed behind their global counterparts.

In a recent hearing at the House of Representatives, officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) rejected again the proposal to implement a "no fail policy system."

In November last year, the University of the Philippines announced no student would get a failing grade during the semester due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. —LBG, GMA News