VP Robredo calls for more attention on Philippine education ‘crisis’

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday asked the government to solve the deficiencies in the education system of the Philippines following the latest report from the World Bank showing that 80% of Filipino schoolchildren fell below minimum proficiency levels.

In her weekly radio program, Robredo said the government must use the World Bank data as a challenge to improve the education system.

"Para sakin kapag may ganitong data ang ineexpect kong reaction natin parang lalo tayong manggigil na aayusin. Gagamitin natin na challenge para ayusin natin para hindi na maging ganito ang datos," she said.

(For me, if there is data like this, I am expecting that it will prompt the agency to fix the system. We will use this as a challenge to fix the system and that this data will not be repeated.)

She further pointed out that the Philippines must declare an education crisis, adding that ignoring shortcomings in the system would only worsen it.

"Para sa akin, magdeklara tayo ng education crisis. Mas mabagal tayong nagrereact mas gagrabe yung problema natin. Rather than magdepensa tayo, hanapan ng paraan," said Robredo.

(For me, we should declare an education crisis. The slower we react, the more problems we will get. Rather than defending, let's find solutions.)

"In fairness, sabi ng Department of Education (DepEd) maraming silang nagawa, hindi nareflect ng World Bank study so sana magkaroon ng update," she added.

(DepEd said they improved a lot, but these did not reflect in the World Bank report so I hope the data will be updated.)

Robredo also lamented that the situation was "exacerbated" because children were unable to study in schools during the pandemic.

The World Bank apologized to DepEd over publishing the data earlier than usual before taking into consideration the department's inputs on the country's education system.

The DepEd also accepted the World Bank's apology. — DVM, GMA News