THE DEPARTMENT of Education demanded a public apology from the World Bank after it used a 2019 data in its report on the low proficiency of Filipino students.

“The function of the World Bank is to serve the development interests of its members, not to inflict harm. If DepEd is to continue to regard the World Bank as a true development partner in education, I believe DepEd deserves a public apology. No less,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The World Bank earlier reported that more than 80 percent of Filipino students do not know what they should know in school.

According to Briones, this report was based on the 2019 Program for International Student Assessment.

“Luma na ‘yang data nila dahil since 2019, marami nang nangyayari,” she said.

The Education secretary said that the World Bank’s error is an insult to the country.

“Since the country was insulted, was shamed, and so on, we expect and look forward to a public apology,” she said.

Briones assured parents that DepEd is upgrading the quality of basic education in the country.

DepEd is preparing the Basic Education Development Plan for 2022-2030, she said.

“I identified this as our biggest reform challenge as soon as I assumed the position of Secretary. Our reform initiatives in the curriculum, the learning environment, and teacher professional development are all ongoing,” she added.