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Public schools need realistic solutions

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo claims that public schools in the country are ready for the opening of classes for all levels. She boasts she has solved the problems faced by the public schools, particularly the lack of classrooms.

The lack of classrooms, as part and partial component of the public school problems, was highlighted in GMAs cabinet meeting. Fe Hidalgo, acting secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) reported that public schools still lack classrooms. Instead of appreciating the honesty of her official, she instead scolded Hidalgo as if she has already solved the problem on lack of classrooms.

A media report reveals that her solution on the problem is to change the standard class size: from 45 students to 100 students per classroom. As such, it would appear that the lack of classrooms was solved. It is a superficial solution.

Data speak on the real situation of our public schools. The UNESCO Institute for the Statistics reveals that class sizes in the Philippine public schools is the worst in the region. This research shows that per classroom in our country caters to at least 43.9 students. In other Asian countries, it shows one classroom caters to lower number of students. In Malaysia a classroom caters to 31.7 students; Thailand, 22.9 students; Japan 28.9; and, India 40.

The disparity in the high school level is higher again in the Philippines as per classroom caters to 56.1 students while in Malaysia a classroom caters to 34 students; Thailand 41.5 students; Japan 33.9; and India 39.

GMA’s proposal for a public school room to accommodate 100 students is unrealistic. It is likened to her earlier promise to bring the Filipino people to the enchanted kingdom. It is a product of an imagination. Parang nuno sa ponso na nangangako na dadalhin ang Pilipino sa isang masaganang kaharian.

Increasing the capacity of classrooms will already degrade the overcrowded and problem ridden public schools. It adds more misery to the already overworked and underpaid teachers. It will further plunge the incompetence of the students. It, in fact, worsens the woes of the public educational system.

We call on GMA to stop fooling the Filipino people. We need realistic solutions not imaginations. #

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