EDUCATION GRADUATES' JOB-HUNTING DILEMMA

The number of students enrolled in the Philippines' education program has

significantly increased in recent years. This is a good development since it indicates
that an increasing number of people are realizing the value of education and making
efforts to increase their knowledge and abilities.

However, this increase in enrollment has also highlighted a worrying problem: after
these graduates finish their degrees, there won't be much employment accessible to
them. In spite of the increasing need for highly qualified professionals in areas like
curriculum creation, teaching, and educational administration, many Filipino
graduates of the education program are having trouble finding work in their sector.

In the Philippines, the unemployment of a number of education graduates has been an

increasing concern in society. These graduates take years to achieve a degree in
education, yet not all are able to secure a job in the education sector.

According to a survey conducted by SWS (Social Weather Station) in September

2023, unemployment or joblessness has recorded a consistent rate highest among 18-
to 24-year-olds at 34.4 percent compared to other age groups. The same poll revealed
college graduates to have the highest unemployment rate at 25.6 percent.

In the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic at the onset of 2020, which caused
community lockdowns all over the Philippines, college graduates struggled even more
to find a job. In fact, the highest unemployment rate was registered at 17.6% in April
2020, during the first implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine.

With no solid solution, this issue of unemployment amongst education graduates has
continued to cause instability as there is no income for them. This problem causes a
shortage among educators, as education graduates would rather choose to go abroad
for bigger opportunities or to even secure a decent job. Graduates will be encouraged
to leave the country for greener pastures.
Moreover, this will also cause a possible decline in education enrollees as they see the
rate of unemployment among education graduates.

In summary, the government should create a sustainable solution to cure the spiking
rate of unemployment among education graduates by making sure to allocate a
sufficient budget to accommodate graduates and help them secure a job. Moreover,
the government should strive to enhance economic growth to respond to the rapidly
growing population, improve the quality of education, improve policies, and attract
investors. Also, most importantly, improve the education sector for the benefit of both
students and teachers.