Addition not the solution SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 08/18/2010

Addition not the solution

SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 08/18/2010 Is the Department of Education (DepEd)’s plan to implement a 12-year basic education program the best answer to our country’s problem of declining quality of education? It is true that we need to act — and act fast — in order to keep up with our neighbors, but adding more years to the youth’s schooling cannot only bring with it an additional financial burden on parents, but also may be a waste of time unless other issues are addressed first.  Changing the current program to “seven years in the elementary level and five years in the secondary level,” as posed by Education Secretary Brother Armin Luistro, may not a be guarantee our public schools will roll out better educated students if the quality of teaching and the students’ learning environment remain as deplorable as they do today. The DepEd says the new program will redesign the school curriculum so that it is “simplified and competency-driven.” The aim is to “produce professionally competent and skilled high school graduates,” the secretary said. That’s all well and good, but what the department wants to do is increase the number of school years while also reviewing the entire curriculum to improve the learning experiences of students.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100818com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Face-saving time FRONTLINE Garbled communications focus Nepal grows wary of Indian ‘interference’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Not a win by any measure FEATURE China military gaining on Taiwan, aiming beyond — US HE SAYS How free is free? SHE SAYS Addition not the solution