A Problematic Solution

In response to the Philippines' worsening problems of low-quality education and overpopulation, House Minority Floor Leader Francis "Chiz" Escudero came up with what I consider to be a terribly disappointing solution.

I arrived at this conclusion after reading an old Inquirer article, in which Chiz apparently suggested a revision of the public school curriculum - reducing the number of subjects from eight to eleven, to six - to help reduce the classroom shortage. The six subjects are Languages (English and Filipino), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies/History, Computer Education, and Good Manners and Right Conduct. The other subjects such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus should be taught only in college or as high school electives since they are not "relevant" to the everyday life of Filipinos.

Given his professional and academic background (highlighted by a Master of Laws degree in Georgetown), it might be understandable how and why he came up with this proposal. However, for the very reasons cited above, we can view it the other way around and expect more foresight from him. After all, with an advanced degree from a top-notch foreign university, Chiz should know that we are all facing a global economy, that an interaction with almost all the world cultures is imminent if not ongoing, that competition for jobs and the market is tougher, and that we all need the necessary skills to survive, let alone thrive, in such an environment. Sadly, the very skills that will prove to be essential are the ones that will be neglected in his proposal.

The flattening world is in need of knowledge workers who can invent new technology or utilize current ones to take advantage of the global market and culture. But what kind of preparation are we giving public school students if they would only know basic arithmetic as they enter college? How would we know whether we have a potential world-class physicist if we'd limit calculus classes only to those who would care to take them? Do we expect high school kids, at their age, to know what their strengths are and outline their career by choosing the right electives? And I do not know how to teach Computer Education (a proposed essential subject) if their critical thinking and problem solving skills will not be enhanced due to the elimination of the other subjects.

India, China, Japan, and Singapore realize the global situation and are fortifying math, science, and technology education within their own backyards. American analysts, academics, journalists, and businessmen have expressed concern that the US is facing a shortage of IT skills and that because of this its dominance isn't inevitable, even as Washington remains brain-dead about this issue (and almost everything else). And yet a prominent, and arguably the most promising, Philippine politician is suggesting that we compromise essential skills that will only become more important to students in the future as they carve their future careers within a tougher and faster-paced world.

Perhaps, I am guilty of being biased according to my own upbringing. I may be seeing the situation from a different set of lens than that of Chiz, and my IT background refuses to comprehend his views. (I should also state that Chiz is one of only two, young Filipino politicians that I respect and admire).

Biased or not, I'd really like to see the Philippines produce more scientists and engineers, and less lawyers and aspiring politicians.