A GROUP advocating education called on all stakeholders to participate in efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on education, saying that the education crisis threatens the economic growth prospects of the country.

In an online roundtable discussion, the Philippine Business for Education shared statistics that showed the dismal state of the education sector.

PBed said that more than one million students did not enroll this school year because of the effects of the Covid19 pandemic. The group also shared that 1,179 private schools closed in 2020.

“Clearly, we need to stop the learning crisis. All sectors of society need to take part in solving this crisis, with the government taking the lead. We must demand for better education, for quality education enables individuals to enjoy strongly rooted and secure lives as reflected in Ambisyon Natin 2040,” PBEd Chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said.

According to the Department of Education, the digital divide, which is more evident in the distance learning setup, widened the education gap.

Based on the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid survey, more than 9,000 parents said that they spent 40 percent more for the education of their children this school year because of the distance learning set up. However, the survey said, this increase in spending hasn’t resulted in better learning.

A recent Pulse Asia survey said that one out of four parents think their children are not learning in the remote setup.

The group also called on all sectors of society to act upon these problems that may threaten the nation’s economic growth prospects.

PBEd echoed the private sector’s call for the reconstitution of an Education Commission.

PBEd also called on all stakeholders to join the Education Nation, a coalition of organizations and individuals who have a common goal of pushing reforms towards quality Philippine education.

“We might not feel its immediate impact now, but we stand to suffer long-term ramifications of inaction and poor learning. We deserve better; our people deserve so much more,” Del Rosario said.