THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is calling for a public-private partnership in education “to ease the crisis that has affected
many Filipino youth.”
MAP president Benedicta Du-Baludad stressed the need to streamline the implementation of the K to 12 system so that it can fully integrate as a Tech-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program to increase enterprise-based learning where the senior high school students will have more immersive experiences through certification training and exposure to actual work settings.
“We agree with what Senator Win Gatchalian cited during the Breakfast Dialogue that basic education and TVET are the most relevant to the business sector from among the 28 priority areas of EDCOM II. The vision of K to 12 to turn-out students going into the 11 and 12 grades as employment-ready, based on specialized skills that were supposed to be taught in the two added years, is far from being realized. Instead of getting better jobs, they end up taking on elementary jobs that do not pay well,” Du-Baludad said.
Republic Act 11899 or the “Second Congressional Commission on Education II Act” (EDCOM II) aims to address the education crisis, look at the entire system, and come up with targeted and measurable reforms. MAP said it could not have come at an opportune time.
Du-Baludad said that a system for micro-credentialing should be created in such a way that a national certification program will qualify a student for better job opportunities and higher wages.
In particular, the Batang Magaling Act that was filed to seek the reform of the Senior High School system in the country, can be a significant step to empower students through the national certification system.
MAP also noted the need for effective and efficient management of public schools to streamline operations, remove duplications, improve the ratio of employees and administrators and be proficient in fiscal management.
Local government units (LGUs) are also encouraged to participate in monitoring results of student performance by providing the Department of Education (DepEd) with timely information on the issues of delivering education.
MAP also proposed to re-design and update the programs of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to be more future-oriented.
“It is imperative that the educators tackle the reforms and be unafraid of disrupting their traditional systems so that the educational system can co tinue to be a bastion of progress and development,” Du-Baludad said.
