PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE, BY WHICH OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN ARE BEING TRAINED TO BECOME "KARGADORS", IN EFFECT INTERNATIONAL BEASTS OF BURDEN.
About four weeks ago I attended a meeting at the Philippine Consulate in New York City. Education Secretary Arman Lusitro was the featured speaker. His main topic was about the chronic problem of classroom shortage in the country. He discussed what the government is doing, but more importantly, he made a presentation about the private sector initiative dubbed TEN MOVES to help solve the problem once and for all. It is in essence a people's initiative to address a very specific problem of the Philippine educational system.
In the hope that you'd be induced to be part of it, let me present TEN MOVES and highlight some of its facets.
The Problem:
Simply stated: The Philippine educational system lacks 66,800 classrooms for basic education.
For the current fiscal year the government has funding to build only 45,000 classrooms. That's is short of 21,000 classrooms. The cost shortfall for the 21, 000 classroom is about PhP 7 billion.
The Problem in Context:
Most if not all of us are aware that our educational system has been in decline over the last several decades. It's beset with multiple problems:
--Not enough textbooks for students; a lot of textbooks are outdated and contain lots of errors.
--Not enough teachers.
--Poor compensation for teachers.
--Inadequate programs for teacher training and continuing education
--Limited number of years for basic education; we're one of few countries that still have 10 yrs for basic education; most countries have kindergarten plus 12 years of basic education. This has a negative impact on higher education (college/university)
--Lack of vocational/technical courses for majority of our high school students so that after high school they have limited skills for gainful employment.
The Consequences
The consequences of our poor educational system are glaring:
--Significant number of students don't finish 6th grade, high school, and fewer still finish college.
--On achievement tests, our students are performing poorly, at every level...only at 57% average test scores in achievement tests
--Our students are not competitive relative to students from other countries in Asia-Pacific and around the world,
For further information on the state of Philippine education, please check out this website:
At the Root of the Problems
At the root of our educational problems is inadequate funding of our educational system. Compared to other Asian-Pacific nations, we spend only about 2 - 2.5 % of our GDP; other countries allocate something like 4-6% of their GDP; translated in absolute terms, the gap is even more pronounced, for the simple reason that their GDP is much larger than ours.
Despite our avowed belief in the necessity and importance of education in improving individual lives and in advancing our national social, economic and political development, our commitment to education measured in terms of funding is woefully inadequate; in large part this is related to our anemic economy.
Lack of political will to support education is no doubt a another major factor.
And whatever funding the Department of Education gets is whittled down by a culture of corruption that seems to permeate much of our our national life.
Realistically speaking, the myriad problems that beset our educational system cannot be addressed or solved all at once. We cannot have a "revolution" in education. We simply don't have the resources to do it. But perhaps we can implement incremental changes and improvement. This necessitates that we prioritize our programs.
Back to Basics
What could be more fundamental than to tackle basic education, especially at the primary level; this is foundational. The most pressing problem at this level is the shortage of classrooms.
Because of shortage of classrooms, we about 50 students packed into a class, a number far above the norm. Students have for their classrooms the stairwell and some other unsuitable areas. Class sessions come in three shifts to accommodate as much
students as possible.
As I alluded to above, there's a determined effort to solve the shortage of classroom once and for all. Still, even with the best efforts of the government under the current administration, there is still a significant funding gap.
The Solution: We are
We Are or Can Be Part of the Solution.
Given the so-so state of our economy, it's unrealistic to expect our government to solve single-handedly our educational deficits, especially the shortage of classrooms.
As John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
This is where We come in. We can fill the gap. We can be part of the solution(s). As somebody said, "now is the time to come to the aid of our country, of our people."
How:
Here's the mechanism or framework under which we help and be part of the solution. The TEN MOVES is the vehicle by which we can actualize a concerted action. Precisely because it's simple and relies mainly on the individual, it is or should be easy for everybody.
This is how it works:
Let's say you, the individual, buy into to the idea. Now, you just make TWO steps:
1) You make a contribution of $ 10/month for ten months or the equivalent of USD $ 10
You can remit your contribution money monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, depending what is convenient for you or easy on you.
[For those in the Philippines: You give PhP 10/day x 30 days ( or PhP 30/month ) x 10 months]
2) You recruit 10 people; you encourage and inspire each of the ten recruits to do the same, i.e., contribute $ 10/month or its equivalent in other currencies for ten months. That's it, if you so choose to stop at that. But of course, if you're motivated enough and you think you can do more, by all means invite more people to join in.
Let's visualize the above scheme
You: You make your contribution of $ 10/month ( or its equivalent ) x 10 months = $ 100.00
Your ten recruits, each of whom make the same contribution: = $ 1,000.00
[ 10 (your ten recruits) x 10 ( recruits of your recruits) x $ 10 ]
Total (for you and 100 recruits) = $ 1,100.00
Let us suppose you (and your friends) are able to recruit to level 3:The math is 10 x 10 x 10 = 10000 people. Multiply that by $ 100.0 = $ 10,000.00Plus your own contribution $ 100.00
The total is ----------------------------------------------- = $ 10,100.00
Hey, that's a pile of money that could build many schools!
Q & A:
Q. If this is a people's initiative, does the government, specifically the Department of Education, has anything to do with the handling of the money collected?
A. The government or Dept. of Education has nothing to do with it, as Sec. Luistro pointed out. Its only role in the matter is to identify areas or regions with the greatest need for classrooms. In all cases these classrooms will be located and built within existing school sites, or land provided by the government (local, regional or national). As I understand it, no money from the fund will be diverted to buy land on which to build classrooms. The fund raised will be exclusively used for building classrooms.
Q. Will there be accountability and monitoring/auditing for the fund that is to be raised?
A. Yes, the Foundations running this program will be held accountable. A procedure for monitoring of collection and disbursement of fund will be in place. A periodic audit will be done.
Q. Are there specifications drawn for the type, design and size of classrooms to be built?
A. Yes, there are already a template plans for size, design and type of classrooms, drawn by architects and engineers.
Q. How are contractors for building of the classrooms selected?
A. I imagine this will be done by competitive bidding for qualified contractors with good track record.
Q. Who/what entity will conduct the bidding?
A. I guess the Foundations involved in this programs.
Q. Will the bidding process be open and transparent.
A. I would like to think so; it better be.
Q. Will there be penalties or sanctions imposed on contractors for work deficiencies or for failing to finish the job on time?
A. I imagine so. In addition, I think they should carry a bond.
Q. Would there be acknowledgement of one's or group's contribution to the classroom building fund?
A. I would think so in terms of simple receipt or letter of acknowledgement. I'd like to think, however, that photo-ops, loud announcement/display in media would not be the norm. Giving of medals, trophies, awards certificates with accompanying ceremonies for such purposes... I hope will be discouraged. Giving to or being part of an enterprise such as this is or it should be its own reward, and not be taken as another venue for commercial advertisement or publicity.
Q. Are groups or associations or corporations contributing to the fund will have a say in the type, location or other specifications in the construction of classrooms.
A. Yes, but as I understand it, only to the extent that they substantially conform to the basic template and location already made or identified by the Dept. of Education. Maybe, a discreet signage for a sponsoring group, company or corporation can be accommodated. Please communicate with the Foundations and/or Dept. of Education on such and other related matters.
Commentary (Optional Reading)
We are a nation very much divided--geographically, linguistically, culturally, socially, politically, economically, in religion, education, etc. We are a nation that could not see to come together. We could not seem to transcend our family or clan. We still operate under the "culture of the tribe" or "kanya-kanya" culture. We can not think of the the larger good, the good of the larger society or the nation. The results are evident nationwide: poverty, corruption, disease, malnutrition, hunger, low educational achievement, democratic government more in style than in substance--and falling far behind our Asian neighbors in so many categories, above all in economic growth and development.
Yet, amid all these cross-currents, there a general sense, if not consensus, that education is central to improving people's lives and advancing the nation's well being.
But such recognition and consensus doesn't elicit commensurate response to the challenge.
We cannot simply say that it's the governments job. To depend fully on government solution is akin to waiting for Godot. It's about time we, the citizens, take the initiative. We can be part of the solution.
The TEN MOVES is a grassroot approach to help solve a specific problem in our educational system: shortage of classrooms.
But TEN MOVES is not just a matter of raising money for the construction of the shortfall in classrooms. It goes beyond that. It is in a larger sense an opportunity for ordinary Filipinos to be a stakeholder not only in the educational system but also in nation building.
I go further: It is a test of our capacity to unite around a common cause and to execute a concerted action. If we all believe in the wisdom and usefulness of a non-controversial objective such as education, and yet fail to rally around it and to deliver, what does that say about us.
The kindest that can be said us is that our belief is bereft of conviction and resolve. Failure, thus, is not an option.
If we succeed in this enterprise, then there is hope for united efforts in other fronts. It will boost our morale and confidence to move on to higher goals.
What is so attractive about the TEN MOVES is that it's truly individual initiative and responsibility. For this to succeed, it does not require complicated organizing; nobody needs to run after anybody or conduct meetings for this purpose. This can all be done, especially for those sufficiently motivated and have plenty of time in their hands, through the power of the internet and social media. At the core of this initiative is individual action, no more, no less...if one chooses to be engaged.
Re-Stating the Problem:
The Challenge: To Build 66,800 classroom
The Responses:
1. Government response: Has the funds to build 45,000 classrooms
2. Private sector response: 57-75 Education Reform Movement ----> Bayanihang Pampaaralan (the campaign) ------>TEN MOVES! (specific program/mechanism to raise funds to supplement government funding for classrooms)
3. Participating Foundations/ Companies/ Corporations/ Banks/Other entities assisting TEN MOVES to achieve the objective
--Ayala Foundation, Inc.
--Philippine Development Foundation(PhilDev.; US-based foundation)
--BPI
--BDO
--UnitedBank
For further info, check:
facebook: http://fwww.facebook.com/pages/TENMoves
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TEN_Moves
The ball is in your court. Your move.
Thank you for your kind attention and help.
Sincerely yours,
Eugenio A. Pulmano, MD NJ
PS: Please disseminate
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