Same problems every school year

EDITORIAL

The same problems that have festered for decades manifested with the start of the school year early last week. Compounded by corrupt school officials who extort money from students, there was an acute lack of everything, from classrooms to school supplies to teachers.

Time and international competitive examinations will gauge if efforts in recent years to revise the curriculum particularly in basic education will improve the quality of education and the country’s human resource.

The failure of the state in meeting demands of a booming student populace had been glaringly evident. To accommodate the constantly growing student population with no corresponding expansion in school facilities and other resources, school administrators have been compelled to have classes so large a teacher can barely remember the names of all the students even at the end of a semester.

Class hours are cut short so there can be three shifts daily, even if it means additional work for already overworked teachers, who are among the most poorly paid in Asia. The education budget is the second largest in the annual national appropriation, after debt repayment.

But the budget is never enough, and cannot keep up with the needs of a student population that has grown even faster as the Arroyo administration froze the family planning program. The meager budget has meant shortages in everything, including textbooks, writing boards and even running water in lavatories.

Computers remain a luxury for millions of public school students. Where there are computers, there aren’t enough instructors who can teach students about their proper use. If the country has fallen behind much of Asia in terms of national competitiveness, one of the biggest reasons is the slide in the quality of Philippine education.

The incoming administration will need to give priority to this sector, as many other countries are doing. National prosperity is easier attained with an educated, capable and globally competitive citizenry. But of course, the corrupt officials who make money out of the education department must be weeded out so the more efficient and incorruptible people can take over their seats.