Plummeting Education Standards Are a National Emergency

[Tommy T.]

A side comment here that I think is relevant to this discussion:

L, who is a public high school teacher, tells me that the current teaching using online and written modules is not working well... Apparently, many students' parents or elder siblings are completing the quiz or question sections that are submitted to the teachers, rather than the students. There is a big problem because students cannot communicate with the teachers for clarifications or assistance. This problem is directly caused by the virus issue limiting or eliminating contact. So, whatever problems may have already existed for whatever reasons, the virus is magnifying it manifold. We both feel so sad for the students who end up losing out a lot of what few chances they may have had before for learning.

I feel that DepEd is trying to deal with this and doing a fair job, especially considering the magnitude of the problems caused by the virus. The virus situation magnifies other issues everywhere - here and in USA and elsewhere.

Edited May 19, 2021 by Tommy T.

[Queenie O.]

It's a tough decision to move if one is comfortable and happy as a parent, but feels that they must move for their childrens' sake.  There are many positive traits that Filipinos carry that might serve them better in the future than some western traits. My husband was a public school graduate who went on to college, and through a lot of hustle, hard work and dedication had a success story in the US. Back in the eighties when I was in the Peace Corps here, getting an education for even the poorest families was a big priority for many. Schools took learning more seriously it seemed. Education now here, seems less of a value to many, and outside of some metropolitan and private schools, the system is really suffering. The pandemic has really added to the situation too.

After marrying in the US, my Filipino husband and I had already decided to settle in the US, so moving wasn't an issue.  Back when our son was a child, I felt that the American sensibility and lifestyle, having relationships with local family and friends in the US was something that he enjoyed  and would have missed. He graduated from university there. Now he's living and working closer to us in Asia, in Seoul as I guess he caught that wanderlust from us and our family travels as a child. 

Not sure if those things that we found important would have been so important in the current climate, but it was back then.

[OnMyWay]

4 minutes ago, Queenie O. said:

It's a tough decision to move if one is comfortable and happy as a parent, but feels that they must move for their childrens' sake.  There are many positive traits that Filipinos carry that might serve them better in the future than some western traits.

It is tough.  We have second thoughts quite often.  The U.S. is a mess too, but in different ways.

[graham59]

The face permanently perusing Facebook 'phenomenon' has not helped matters, IMO.  Then there is 'Mobile Legends', etc.  

I haven't decided what will be the education routing for our 5 year-old yet, but my eldest son, plus his half brother and sister, were definitely 'rescued' from the Phils education system, and have gone on to prosper both academically, and financially, in the UK.  There is just no comparison between the two systems, in terms of quality of teaching...along with the mindsets of fellow pupils, in what is now a very competitive world.

[scott h]

Not having any children I really do not have a dog in this hunt. Having said THAT. 

I have 4 nieces 3 Nurses and 1 IT specialist. all in their 30's. 2 in the USA and 2 in Australia. All successful and all well educated and intelligent (well except for one who is smart but couldn't pour pee from a boot with the directions on the heel...real ding bat .

BUT....they all went to private High schools, colleges and universities.

Education here is just like everything else....First class,,,,,,,,,,if you have the Pisos 

[Snowy79]

What with Tic Toc dancing and Religious preaching going online these days I can't see the education system changing anytime soon here. 

I have no experience of city education but was involved as vice president of a parent, teachers association in Puerto Galera at a private school which was rated as the best of a bad bunch in the area. 

My experience put me off any idea of educating any kid I may have here. Grades were bought, teaching standards were very poor and the kids understanding of a structured sentence was shocking.  Since that experience and dealing with locals of all ages and from different areas I notice few actually grasp written English. Never ask more than one question at a time or expect a direct answer to a question. 

My current partner sympathises with me and has a bit of a laugh as we play a game to see how many times I have to ask a question before getting it answered. My current record is 12 times but usually I average 5 times. 

[Freebie]

My gf and I were recently laughing on youtube at one of these shows where Americans are stopped on street and asked dumb questions like " which is heavier, a kilo of fathers or a kilo of steel"... ..and then there was the " can you identify this state or this country" question.

G/f told me in her school/college no one had ever mentioned geography, it wasnt a subject that was taught, and therefor her knowledge of countries and flags was by her own admission not good. We went to National Bookstore and bought a large map of world that had flags printed on back .Two weeks later, this lady can correctly tell me what the 4 countries of the United kingdom of Breat Britian and Northern Ireland are, what the Benelux countries are, what countries constitute Scandinavia, Pacific Nations etc etc. and their corresponding flags. She can tell her Montana from her Mexico and her Hawaii from Houston.

We are moving onto History soon as she also explained that the only history thats covered in schools here is Filipino history. They Ignore the rest of the world .

And so yes, education standards are dire. And its not from a lack of schools here, they are everywhere. Its a population prone to distractions and obsessions with idiotic facebook and clash of clans etc etc, and a curriculum that covers some basics and not a lot else.

Dont provide students facts/information  and they wont know them, as many dont have a natural curiosity to learn , unless they have parents and borthers/sisters that display curiosity to learn.

[hk blues]

2 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

A side comment here that I think is relevant to this discussion:

L, who is a public high school teacher, tells me that the current teaching using online and written modules is not working well... Apparently, many students' parents or elder siblings are completing the quiz or question sections that are submitted to the teachers, rather than the students. There is a big problem because students cannot communicate with the teachers for clarifications or assistance. This problem is directly caused by the virus issue limiting or eliminating contact. So, whatever problems may have already existed for whatever reasons, the virus is magnifying it manifold. We both feel so sad for the students who end up losing out a lot of what few chances they may have had before for learning.

I feel that DepEd is trying to deal with this and doing a fair job, especially considering the magnitude of the problems caused by the virus. The virus situation magnifies other issues everywhere - here and in USA and elsewhere.

I don't know what format of online system your partner is using, Tom,  but my son's school format is via Zoom and Google classroom and the teacher is interacting with the students as much as they would in a physical setting and they can communicate offline with the teachers any time.  It's working relatively well.  On one point I do agree - the parents (my wife included) do complete too many of the homework activities but this is no different to the previous system so not to be blamed on the current set-up.

I am actually positively impressed by the way it's going with my son's school's handling of the situation.  I'm less impressed at paying the same fees - actually 20% higher! 

I don't believe the UK has handled the situation quite as well given the resource differences etc etc.

[hk blues]

46 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

What with Tic Toc dancing and Religious preaching going online these days I can't see the education system changing anytime soon here. 

I have no experience of city education but was involved as vice president of a parent, teachers association in Puerto Galera at a private school which was rated as the best of a bad bunch in the area. 

My experience put me off any idea of educating any kid I may have here. Grades were bought, teaching standards were very poor and the kids understanding of a structured sentence was shocking.  Since that experience and dealing with locals of all ages and from different areas I notice few actually grasp written English. Never ask more than one question at a time or expect a direct answer to a question. 

My current partner sympathises with me and has a bit of a laugh as we play a game to see how many times I have to ask a question before getting it answered. My current record is 12 times but usually I average 5 times. 

I have to say Snowy, what you have described is far, far from our experience with my son.  That's no surprise though as we know how inconsistent things are here.  

[hk blues]

32 minutes ago, Freebie said:

My gf and I were recently laughing on youtube at one of these shows where Americans are stopped on street and asked dumb questions like " which is heavier, a kilo of fathers or a kilo of steel"... ..and then there was the " can you identify this state or this country" question.

G/f told me in her school/college no one had ever mentioned geography, it wasnt a subject that was taught, and therefor her knowledge of countries and flags was by her own admission not good. We went to National Bookstore and bought a large map of world that had flags printed on back .Two weeks later, this lady can correctly tell me what the 4 countries of the United kingdom of Breat Britian and Northern Ireland are, what the Benelux countries are, what countries constitute Scandinavia, Pacific Nations etc etc. and their corresponding flags. She can tell her Montana from her Mexico and her Hawaii from Houston.

We are moving onto History soon as she also explained that the only history thats covered in schools here is Filipino history. They Ignore the rest of the world .

And so yes, education standards are dire. And its not from a lack of schools here, they are everywhere. Its a population prone to distractions and obsessions with idiotic facebook and clash of clans etc etc, and a curriculum that covers some basics and not a lot else.

Dont provide students facts/information  and they wont know them, as many dont have a natural curiosity to learn , unless they have parents and borthers/sisters that display curiosity to learn.

I agree with a fair bit of what you've written, Freebie, the teaching of Geography and World History is indeed dire (at best).  It does very much depend on which school though, my son's school does OK at the basics i.e. the 3rs.  There is too much focus on nonsense (in my opinion) such as UN day, Establishment Day etc etc. 

I'm satisfied overall.  Maybe I'm easily pleased though!  Joking apart, maybe i have a different perspective on education, I want my son to develop learning skills rather than information.