#edukbata

The University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP) has long been at the forefront of advancing a sustainable future. Its tagline, "Advancing a Sustainable Future," reflects its commitment to developing and implementing innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

As a trailblazer, I value and believe that quality education is the foundation of a prosperous and sustainable society. It empowers individuals to reach their full potential, contributes to economic growth, and promotes social justice.

A 2023 study by the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) further highlights the extent of this issue. The study revealed that at least 78% of students in the Philippines failed to reach minimum levels of proficiency in each of the three PISA subjects – reading, mathematics, and science.

These results point to several underlying factors that contribute to the subpar performance of Filipino students. These factors include:

Inadequate Resources and Infrastructure: Many schools in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas, lack basic resources and infrastructure, such as classrooms, textbooks, and teaching materials. This scarcity of resources hinders effective teaching and learning.

Teacher Quality and Shortage: The Philippines faces a shortage of qualified teachers, with a deficit of over 100,000 public school teachers in 2022. This shortage, coupled with concerns about teacher quality and training, negatively impacts student performance.

Access to Education: While the Philippines has achieved universal basic education, millions of children remain out of school due to poverty, conflict, disability, and other socioeconomic factors. This lack of access to education further widens the educational gap.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in Philippine education. The government has increased its investment in education, and various innovative programs and initiatives are underway to improve the quality of education.

Notable initiatives include:

K to 12 Program: The K to 12 program added two more years to basic education, aiming to improve the quality of education and make Filipino students more competitive globally.

Last Mile Schools Program: This program aims to provide access to education for children in remote and underserved communities by building schools in hard-to-reach areas and providing necessary resources.

Teacher Training Program: This initiative aims to improve teacher quality by providing training on the latest teaching methods and curriculum.

The World Bank defines quality education as "education that provides all learners with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become successful citizens." This includes access to a safe and supportive learning environment, qualified and motivated teachers, and relevant and engaging curriculum.

The benefits of quality education are well-documented. For example, a study by the World Bank found that each additional year of schooling is associated with a 10% increase in earnings. In addition, quality education can help to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and promote gender equality.

There is a significant global need for quality education. According to UNESCO, 258 million children and adolescents are out of school, and 617 million children and adolescents are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.

There are a number of examples of countries that have made significant progress in improving quality education. For example, Vietnam has achieved a 95% enrollment rate in primary education, and its students now perform above the global average in reading and mathematics.

Investing in quality education is one of the best investments that a country can make. It is an investment in the future of its citizens and the future of the planet.

Here are some specific examples of how quality education is being achieved around the world:

In Finland, all teachers are required to have a master's degree, and they are given a high degree of autonomy in their classrooms. As a result, Finland consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for student achievement.

In Brazil, the Bolsa Família program provides cash transfers to poor families on the condition that their children attend school. The program has been credited with helping to reduce child labor and increase school enrollment rates.

In Kenya, the use of mobile phones has been used to improve communication between teachers and parents, and to provide students with access to educational resources.

In a world that is constantly evolving, education stands as the cornerstone of progress, empowerment, and positive change. As a trailblazer and a city scholar, I am proud that I participated in our community-based project in our barangay, which is barangay Pagatpat. Together with our former president and my co-scholars, the “Edukbata Drive” initiative was made. In which we reach out to elementary schools in our barangay to lend help for reading,writing, and solving. Beforehand, we had proper training and knowledge before diving into the field of tutoring kids. It is quite a fulfilling journey for us because the feedback of the teachers and parents says that after the tutoring, they improved their academic performances and became honor students. Our project has been recognized by PinasForward and will be implemented citywide. And we also won the Kinanao Awards and the Most Outstanding Community-Based Organization.

These examples demonstrate that there is no single solution to the challenge of improving quality education. However, they also show that it is possible to make significant progress by investing in teachers, providing access to resources, and creating a supportive learning environment.

As we work towards achieving the targets set by SDG 4, let us foster partnerships and collaborations. Governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities must come together with a shared commitment to prioritize and elevate education. Let us leverage technology to reach those in remote areas and create innovative solutions that make learning more accessible and engaging.

May the pages of our future be written with the ink of wisdom, and may the story of quality education echo through the corridors of time, inspiring generations to come. The classroom may end, but the lessons of a quality education resonate forever, echoing the promise of a brighter, more enlightened world.

“The world is changing rapidly, and our education system must change with it. We need to provide all students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century, and this means investing in quality education for all.”

Here are some educational sources that you can visit and read: