A LARGE number of Filipino learners are not proficient enough in Reading, Writing, and Math to advance to secondary school.

This was the result of a Southeast Asia-wide study on the learning outcomes of Grade 5 students.

Senator Win Gatchalian said the study reiterates the urgency of rolling out basic education curriculum reforms that would boost Filipino learners’ basic competencies.

Results of the 2019 study Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics revealed that only 10 percent of Filipino learners have developed the proficiency in reading to allow their transition to secondary education. In Mathematics, only 17 percent and in terms of writing, only one percent could write cohesive texts with detailed ideas and a good range of appropriate vocabulary.

The SEA-PLM 2019 was conducted by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Six countries participated in the pen-and-paper large scale assessment and in the Philippines, there were 6,083 participants for the study.

According to Gatchalian, the results reinforced the findings of the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, which showed that out of 79 countries, the Philippines ranked lowest in Reading Comprehension and second lowest in Science and Mathematics.

“Lumalabas sa resulta ng SEA-PLM na lalo tayong dapat magsulong at magpatupad ng mga reporma sa ating sistema ng edukasyon — mula sa guro hanggang sa ating curriculum — ang masigurong natututo ang ating mga mag-aaral. Bagama’t nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng krisis dahil sa pandemya ng Covid19, lalo nating dapat isagawa ang mga repormang ito upang hindi lalong mapag-iwanan ang ating mga mag-aaral,” said the senator.

As part of its national reform program Sulong EduKalidad, the Department of Education is currently implementing a streamlined curriculum under the Most Essential Learning Competencies owing to Covid19 pandemic.

DepEd, however, is still conducting its curriculum review which is to be completed by 2021.

A congested curriculum is considered one of the reasons why learners cannot master basic competencies.

For Gatchalian, the goal of a streamlined curriculum is not simply an improved showing in national and international assessments.

He emphasized that competencies required under the new curriculum should have a sharper focus on promoting the 4Cs — critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, and communication.

The senator also emphasized the importance of reforming teacher education and training, noting that the quality of teachers and their education are basic inputs to improved learning outcomes.

To improve teacher education, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 1887 or the Teacher Education Council Act, which seeks to strengthen the coordination between DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education to improve teacher education and training in the country.