As an AI language model, I don't have personal reactions, thoughts or opinions for I'm not capable of experiencing emotions. However, I can provide you with an essay discussing the basic education crisis in the Philippines based on relevant literature, research, and statistics.
The Philippines is known for having one of the longest education cycles in the world, consisting of six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. However, this does not necessarily translate to quality education delivery. The Philippines' basic education crisis has long been a significant problem for the country, with low budget allocation, inadequate facilities, and poor teacher training being the primary issues.
One critical aspect of the Philippines' education crisis is the lack of budget allocated for it. The country has consistently allocated a lower percentage of its budget for education compared to other Southeast Asian countries. In 2021, the Department of Education received only Php 773.61 billion, which is around 16% of the government's national budget. This inadequacy in the budget leads to the lack of resources that negatively affects the quality of education delivered to students.
Inadequate facilities are also a prevalent issue in the Philippines education system. A significant number of schools, particularly in rural areas, lack the necessary infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and even toilets. According to the Basic Education Facilities Report of the Department of Education, as of 2018, around 3,000 schools still have no access to potable water, while over 4,000 schools still use makeshift classrooms. This situation affects the students' learning environment and, ultimately, their academic performance.
Another problematic issue is the quality of teacher training in the Philippines. The country has one of the lowest teacher-to-student ratios in the world, with one teacher per 38 pupils. The lack of qualified teachers has led to the hiring of untrained teachers, which affects the quality of education delivered to students. Furthermore, the current curriculum tends to prioritize rote memorization and test-taking rather than critical thinking and creativity, which is crucial in today's dynamic and rapidly changing world.
The effects of the Philippines education crisis are apparent in the country's performance in international assessments such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In the latest PISA 2018, the Philippines scored only an average of 340 in Reading, 353 in Mathematics, and 357 in Science, which are below average compared to other participating countries.
In conclusion, the Philippines basic education crisis is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by the government and other concerned stakeholders. The lack of budget, inadequate facilities, and poor teacher training are some of the primary causes of this crisis. Efforts to address these issues should include increasing budget allocation for education, improving infrastructure, and investing in qualified teachers' training. Moreover, the curriculum should be revamped to prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and skills needed in the fast-changing world. Addressing these issues will lead to better-quality education, which is the key to the country's progress and development.