VP Sara says SEA countries’ science, math programs to help PH’s curriculum be ‘relevant’

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Tuesday drew inspiration from the science and mathematics programs of the Southeast Asian countries, saying it will help make the Philippines’ own basic education curriculum relevant.

During her official visit to the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation’s (SEAMEO) Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (TROPMED) in Malaysia, Duterte said the Philippines wants to learn from Malaysia's successful educational strategies and to explore the initiatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Education and the SEAMEO Centres.

Among these centres is the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM), which she said has a “forward-thinking science and mathematics programs.”

“Making the curriculum relevant is one of our thrusts, and the lessons on science and math teaching from RECSAM can help us achieve this,” Duterte said in her speech.

According to her, RECSAM, which headquarters is also in Malaysia, has a Space Education Hub and an upcoming Makerspace which will be a hub for creativity and hands-on learning.

“These efforts are vital in nurturing future scientists and critical thinkers. Thank you for your commitment to teaching and learning science and mathematics through practical, experiential education,” Duterte said.

Based on the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, Filipino learners continue to lag behind in math, science, and reading.

The Philippines particularly placed third from the bottom in science and sixth from the bottom in reading and mathematics, among the 81 countries and economies that participated in the study.

Department of Education’s (DepEd) senior education program specialist and PISA focal person Alex Sucalit Jr. earlier said that the recent PISA results might have shown that the Philippines is about five to six years behind in learning competencies as compared to other countries.

Duterte had also lamented the Philippines’ poor performance on the 2022 PISA, saying that a collective effort must be made to address such a problem.

In Malaysia, Duterte also thanked TROPMED for providing scholarships and trainings in Southeast Asia, particularly on Microbiology, Parasitology, and Entomology.

“Your specialized knowledge not only enhances the well-being of your nation but also casts a positive ripple effect across our entire region. This collaborative effort is a testament to how education and health, when interlinked, can create robust societies equipped for the evolving demands of our global community,” she added.

She also acknowledged SEAMEO Special Educational Needs (SEN) for their inclusive education, ensuring every learner receives quality learning opportunities regardless of their abilities.

“I also look forward to learning more about the Inclusive Open Educational Resources initiatives, which is particularly promising for enhancing disability-inclusive educational resources and materials,” Duterte said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News