EDUCATION IN A COMPETITIVE WORLD

SUMMARY Randy Davids article entitled Education in a competitive world discussed the obsession of countries in lifting their world ranking in terms of the education of their young people, which would determine if political systems really affect their countrys achievement. The said rankings came from two reputable research agencies. First is the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which was identified as an office in the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). PISA came up with rankings based on the result of their research of the educational attainment of 15-year old students in 32 countries. The result gave power countries a shock. Four Asian countries namely Shanghai (China), South Korea, Hongkong (China), and Singapore made it to top five while only one European country, Finland, was included in the prestigious list. While people had doubts about the ranking result, it was supported by another reliable research agency the McKinsey, a research and consultancy firm. This gave the ranking a more solid bone. In another study conducted by McKinsey, three Asian countries were also considered the top 3 in the world for a sustained improvement in education, with three or more data points over five years or more. These are: Singapore (1st), Hong Kong (2nd) and South Korea (3rd), all from which there had been a period of assessment between 1983 to 2007 REFLECTION: After reading the reveletions of Randys David article. I ponder on the following questions. What do these countries really have in common? What do they do to bring themselves forward or stay on the top? On the other hand, what do other countries do that left their educational system down? After reading the article, I looked at Pisas website (www.pisa.oecd.org) to at least take a peek at Philippines ranking in their research, but sadly, I found out that our country is a nonparticipant to their researches. This gave me sad feelings because after reading the articles, I became very curious about the current educational standing of our youth today the result was a little bit frustrating while reading about these rankings. It felt good that Asians ranked well in the survey/study conducted, but it could have been a great feeling if the Philippines rank well too. On my personal perspective, I am confident that we have a high rate of educated youth, since I would agree with Randy Davids statement that we Asians have a high value we assign to education. Most Filipinos can read and write. Even the little kids we see selling fish balls and candies and cigarettes on the streets know math since they knew how to count their clients payment and give an exact change in return. The beggars for example, can understand traffic signs. But of course education does not evolve up to that point only. It is beyond simple comprehension. Education is something that would give people necessary skills to function as a worker in the working society. Education is a laboratory for future leaders. Education is something that gives power to people.

So, would we say that Philippine schools give quality education to their youth? Take the present situation in public schools as an example 60 students in a medium-sized classroom; two or three shifts a day; few teachers; lack of facilities that will aid learning. So, what more could we expect? The fund allotted by the government to Philippine education, I believe, is not enough. Since years after the 1900s, we have been dealing with the same problems until the recent educational system we have today, so the government should have at least learned from the mistakes of the past. But the problem still remains and is currently experienced by our poor children. Why? I could only say that maybe it is because of the lack of planning. The government should have at least the long-term goal that will only be successfully achieved through careful planning and experimentation. They should also adapt educational policies which were tested by other institutions. Quoted from The Economist are the important factors for educational reform which I think may also apply in all institutions in and out of the country. These are: (1) letting schools themselves set their own targets, with full support from the top, and calling on civic pride to raise the performance level of local schools; (2) paying particular attention to the needs of underachievers; (3) experimenting with a diverse range of schools that are suited to their milieu, including those run by parents, charities, and local groups; and (4) recruiting the best teachers and justly compensating them. Philippines may have an edge with teacher training. The efforts of the Philippine government, especially to the Department of Education, for finding ways on how to improve the Philippine educational system is highly commendable, because in spite of the fast trends of educational competition with other nations, we keep on advocating education for free and privilege to every Filipino citizen. I would agree that it was difficult at first to adjust from the traditional teaching style to the changing pace of our new curriculum and giving out our best in improving the teaching strategies, but lets face it, embracing the new programs and k-12 curriculum gives a bigger opportunity for the students, especially the underachievers, to learn new things without the usual spoon-feeding inside the classroom. It is about giving activities that would let learners discover things, and then appreciate. It may require an extra effort from the teachers, but we cannot deny the fact that it also teaches us teachers to anchor professional discipline and reminds us of our sworn oath of educating the youth. With all these, the best competition, I believe, is when countries show how they value their education and work hard for it. Perhaps everybody appeals for quality education, not just for politicallymotivated reasons or agenda, but the time when there will be good competition among education-powered nations. Hopefully, the Philippines can be within the circle soon.