THE DEPARTMENT of Finance supported the Department of Education’s call for a public apology from the World Bank over its use of outdated data in a report about the Philippines’ education sector.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also slammed the World Banks’ “lack of professionalism” after it failed to follow the standard procedure of consulting DepEd officials about its findings before the publication of its report.

“The failure of Bank officials to follow the protocol of consulting with the DepEd prior to publication further illustrates the lack of professionalism which we come to expect from the World Bank and its staff. Such a report should be taken out from the Bank’s website so as not to further mislead the public. We also believe that a public apology to the DepEd and the National Government is in order,” Dominguez said in his letter to World Bank Group President David Malpass.

Dominguez pointed out that the institution’s report showing the poor condition of the country’s education sector and dismal performance of Filipino students published more than two years since the assessments were made does not reflect current realities. He added that the report has a misleading effect to the public and caused undue reputational risk to the Philippine education sector.

In its 2019 report titled Improving Student Learning Outcomes and Well-Being in the Philippines: What Are International Assessments Telling Us? published on June 29, 2021, the World Bank said that majority of Filipino students have proficiencies lower than their grade levels.

“In the future, the Philippines expects the Bank to observe responsible reporting and adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct,” Dominguez said.

He said the Report’s outdated findings have already been addressed by the DepEd and the Philippines’ development partners, through various amelioration programs since 2019.

Dominguez added that the government is considering two financing proposals from the World Bank to enhance the capacity of Filipino teachers and to advance the DepEd’s Alternative Learning System.

“Thus, publishing the Report at present is quite curious as it does not reflect current realities and may be wrongfully used to tarnish the image of the DepEd and the entire National Government,” he stressed.

He said the WB report also failed to recognize the historical context of the Philippine education sector and how it has evolved, which the institution should have taken into account as it has been a valuable partner of the NG for almost 75 years.

Dominguez reminded the WB that as a valued partner, it should serve and protect the development interests of the Philippines and other WB members.