It’s back to Filipino and English, from kinder to Grade 3 classes

[Lee]

3 hours ago, Possum said:

I am happy to report the Montessori school our daughters are attending

If you don't mind me asking, what is the tuition for this school? Is it in Manila?

Have you noted if the teachers English is at some competency level that allows them to teach in English only? Here (locally) some teachers appear to be competent in English but when pressed or confused often revert back to Filipino or their mother tongue.

Edited October 31 by Lee

[craftbeerlover]

50 minutes ago, Lee said:

If you don't mind me asking, what is the tuition for this school? Is it in Manila?

Have you noted if the teachers English is at some competency level that allows them to teach in English only? Here some teachers appear to be competent in English but when pressed or confused revert back to Filipino or their mother tongue.

We found an American school that offers "family of Veterans or from a family of retired or current Government personnel or regular school teachers, you (all grades) can apply for scholarship of 50% on both of tuition and fees of textbooks, Science/art materials, medical insurance, and health&safety "   Incredible deal for an excellent school. 

[Possum]

3 hours ago, Lee said:

If you don't mind me asking, what is the tuition for this school? Is it in Manila?

Have you noted if the teachers English is at some competency level that allows them to teach in English only? Here (locally) some teachers appear to be competent in English but when pressed or confused often revert back to Filipino or their mother tongue.

The teachers speak and understand English very well, they could get by in any English speaking country. The tuition for the 2 of them is a little over 100,000/yr for elementary level. We're not in Manila but there are Montessori schools in many cities. The quality varies from school to school. There is one here that brags about their talent and dance competition and the one that we use currently that brags about the university acceptance rate. So due diligence

[Lee]

6 hours ago, Possum said:

We're not in Manila but there are Montessori schools in many cities. The quality varies from school to school.

Exactly, that's why I asked which Montessori school you were sending your children to.

Edited October 31 by Lee

[Mike J]

My nephew has had school canceled for quite a number of days in the past few months.  It reached a point that I have ask my wife, who speaks with him each day, to keep a journal and reason for all missed days.  Too late to get a total, but I would not be at all surprised if the number of schools days present does not meet the standard set my the government of this years at 165.    

<snip>

DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220 days prescribed by the law.

<end snip>

[JJReyes]

In Hong Kong at the moment where we met a Filipina domestic helper working for a local family.  She does cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. during the day.  When the two elementary age children return from school, she helps with homework and conversation English.  Her background is public school teacher from Mindoro, a graduate of the Philippine Normal University.  Her Hong Kong job is less stressful, and the pay is good.   

[Lee1154]

How can they teach in English while most children do not know much English?

[craftbeerlover]

49 minutes ago, Lee1154 said:

How can they teach in English while most children do not know much English?

correct, they do not know English; the real punch in the gut is most of the textbooks are in English.    Yup, the Philippines is near the bottom (worldwide), when it comes to education. 

[Mike J]

46 minutes ago, Lee1154 said:

How can they teach in English while most children do not know much English?

I think the rational is the education system worked before, they changed methods and it did not work, so go back to what did work.  At least that is my read on the change.  I think they are floundering and desperately trying different methods to improve a failing system of education.  In my opinion there needs to be an emphasis on reading comprehension, science and math.  No more marching, singing, dancing, talent competitions, etc.  Stop the excessive "no school" today for almost any reason.  Yesterday's reason for no school was "grade cards".  WTH?   I think the real reason is to give teachers a four day weekend.   My opinions of course.

 

[Possum]

4 hours ago, Mike J said:

DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220 days prescribed by the law.

<end snip>

With all the cancellations they might get 130 days of school. Evidently the law requiring a minimum of 180 days of school is just another law they choose to ignore. In the US if school is cancelled due to weather the year is extended until the required number of days are met. Not here.

There is no need to continue to experiment with education. All they need to do is look at Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia all of which have excellent systems. As many have said before the people that run the country do not want a well educated populace for self preservation reasons. Maintaining a third world country status is a deliberate decision.