PONCE, SORN S.

How can the Philippine Education System be improved? How can we consider improvements to
the Educational System in the Philippines if that system hasn't been definitively proven
effective? The Philippine education system encompasses both formal and non-formal education.
Generally, people in the Philippines are primarily exposed to formal education, where students
progress from elementary or grade school to secondary or high school, and then onto tertiary
levels such as TVET or Technical Vocational Education and Training, as well as higher
education. Additionally, non-formal education is more flexible and can include workshops or
training programs outside of traditional schools, allowing individuals to acquire specific skills
but might not receive official qualifications or recognition. The education system in the
Philippines is divided into three main parts: basic education, technical-vocational education, and
higher education. Each part is overseen by a separate agency. Basic education is managed by the
Department of Education (DepED), technical-vocational education is overseen by the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and higher education is governed by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED). On my analysis, Preferably should prioritize
effectiveness over improvement to see such great results.

For a long time, the education system in the Philippines was one of the shortest educational
systems in the world. Back then, formal education was only required for 10 years (6 years of
primary school and 4 years of high school). Prior to this, the Philippines was the only country in
Asia and one of the three countries in the world (the others were Angola and Djibouti) that had a
10-year basic formal education program. Filipinos back then were fine in the education system
before the implementation of K12 until President Benigno Aquino III said Filipinos were at a
disadvantage in competing globally because of the old curriculum that he likened to “force
feeding.” This means that Filipinos are in a position of disadvantage when it comes to global
competition due to an outdated curriculum. The curriculum is compared to "force feeding,"
implying that it is overly rigid or outdated, and may not adequately prepare individuals or groups
for the challenges of global competition. That is why the late president said that the products of
the Philippines received information are not as well processed as they should be, the context is
not given and thus not applied, and the implications on the greater majority of Filipinos are not
explained. That urges the Philippines to introduce the K-12 curriculum as an improvement to the
old curriculum that became more similar to American K-12 schooling. When following
effectiveness before improvements, the government should at least tend to do necessary steps on
providing information or knowledge in a way that the learners understand and apply it in
effective measures rather than implementing so-called improvements to the old curriculum yet
staying at the level of implications. The Philippine Educational System should have focused on
quality education over global competition. Other than the additional expenses for the 2 years
add-on education, it wasn't widely prepared by all levels of the nation. We may see it as a
flourishing idea to be following the American K-12 schooling but that doesn't mean it is widely
effective. Though it is not a bad improvement as it is also beneficial especially to the young
minds shaping the new generation but without the full support and determination by the
backbone of the new education system of the Philippines, there isn't a change happening. Before
the implementation, we cannot really tell the difference between the products of the Philippines
comparing to the new education system up until now as a big improvement because even I know
some professionals to have an exceptional background on education without experiencing the
new curriculum. It is just based on the level of effectiveness how ideas and knowledge are taught
and understood regardless of the curriculum they're in. Just like my older sister, she finished
higher education without experiencing the additional 2years in Secondary education. But even
so, she has this knowledge that encompasses mine same goes to my instructors. It is not also
because how the quality of education is taught to them, but also on how they managed to
effectively understood and carry those learnings with them. Improving the Philippine
Educational System is not a one way process. Other than what makes the system itself, it still
needs the aid of the people running it and the people who needs it to be able to keep it running.
In any way, in determining the improvements on the Philippine Education System, we should
always conduct research first if the current system is effective in implementing its rules and
curriculum to its subject before having to decide for improvements. Why? Because for instance,
you are marketing your homemade pizza for its delicious taste yet you wonder why isn't that no
one is buying it? You kept on improving it visually to make it more appealing and good looking
yet still you wonder you have less sale. But when realizing that it lacked the impact of its taste,
you thought maybe I need to do adjustment to its flavor to effectively attract customers. And
when you did, it brough customers back to life and that is where the possible improvements
kicks in for your homemade pizza. Just like in education, you cannot really expect improvements
without having to give effectiveness to it.

Improving the Philippine education system is really important for a few big reasons. First off, it
helps the country grow economically by giving us a skilled workforce and attracting investments.
Plus, it gives more people a chance to move up in society and reduces inequality. Then, a better
education system helps us compete globally by making sure we have smart and capable people.
Also, education helps us all be better citizens and work together to solve problems. The
Philippine Education System can be improved by devoting effectiveness to the current system
we now have. And aside from the ones who are running the system, we should also do our part to
help it flourish in any way. By doing so, we are making and seeing improvements.