SPOTLIGHT:
Lifelong Learning in the Philippines
The Philippines’ constitutional provisions of 1987 Article 14 emphasized the lifelong learning framework. This, in particular, supports the notion of lifelong learning for its citizens in accessing to the country’s educational programs, and that includes from pre-school to adult citizens (Article 14). Basically, it highlights the vitality of investing to lifelong education through policy frameworks. However, the goal of the Philippine plan of action for Education for all (1991-2000) was not achieved despite the country’s efforts in providing all of its citizens with at least basic education level during year 2000. Hence, the country recommitted through the Millennium Development Goals on education. This will cover all Filipinos to have right access to quality education regardless of their age and social status.
Relating in today’s context of the Philippines’ education system, various initiatives and policies of lifelong learning and education for all are being undertaken. For instance, the shift from 10-year basic education to K to 12 (SEAMEO INNOTECH, 2012)) created a new landscape in decongesting the curriculum, and aligning it to the global education arena. The enactment of RA 10912 or the Continuing Professional Education Act of 2016, RA 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (ABS CBN, 2017), RA 10650 or Open Distance Learning Act, Department of Education’s Open High School Program (UNTV News and Rescue, 2014), the Philippines Qualifications Framework (Philippine Social Science Council, 2014), and Alternative Learning System or ALS also serve as educational pathway in achieving its commitment to support and engage its citizens to lifelong learning and education for all. These movements, initiatives, and policies are some of the key strategies in order to address and provide equitable access to quality education system. Thus, these also entail in relation to prepare Filipino learners to be equipped in globalize and borderless knowledge-based economy.
Relating in today’s context of the Philippines’ education system, various initiatives and policies of lifelong learning and education for all are being undertaken. For instance, the shift from 10-year basic education to K to 12 (SEAMEO INNOTECH, 2012)) created a new landscape in decongesting the curriculum, and aligning it to the global education arena. The enactment of RA 10912 or the Continuing Professional Education Act of 2016, RA 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (ABS CBN, 2017), RA 10650 or Open Distance Learning Act, Department of Education’s Open High School Program (UNTV News and Rescue, 2014), the Philippines Qualifications Framework (Philippine Social Science Council, 2014), and Alternative Learning System or ALS also serve as educational pathway in achieving its commitment to support and engage its citizens to lifelong learning and education for all. These movements, initiatives, and policies are some of the key strategies in order to address and provide equitable access to quality education system. Thus, these also entail in relation to prepare Filipino learners to be equipped in globalize and borderless knowledge-based economy.
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
The article presented four major policy issues:
- right to quality education at all levels
- integrated education system relevant to the needs of people, and alternative system responsive to community needs
- financing issues; and
- training for domestic and global market opportunities.
One of the highlights presented in the study that we can acquire from is the importance of providing investment to the people, and that is through education and training. The Lapanday Foods Corporation, as emphasized by Macaranas, invested in training programs to ensure and enhance their employees’ productivity. More so, the importance of Alternative Learning System (World Bank, 2014), Vocational, and Community education (UNESCO, 2010) in the country support the notion of lifelong learning engagement in achieving Education for All. Stories of steadfast collaboration among private and public sector are integral in improving and attaining the Philippines’ goal of rightful access to quality education (Asian Development Bank, 2016).
Hence, at the end of the day, the work for achieving lifelong learning programs is not only the sole responsibility of the government sector but all of us have role to play in order to achieve Education for All.
Hence, at the end of the day, the work for achieving lifelong learning programs is not only the sole responsibility of the government sector but all of us have role to play in order to achieve Education for All.
Inspiring Videos about Lifelong Learning in the Philippines
With the Philippine’s initiative in providing equitable access to education, the Alternative Learning System through its mobile teachers support the government’s efforts and envisions toward education for all. According to the World Bank (2014), “mobile teachers are bringing schools to communities with members who cannot go to school due to disabilities, age, or distance”.
Source: World Bank. (2014). Philippines: Teaching and learning outside classroom walls [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqhcyfMlb18 |
In the video, the Asian Development Bank (2014) pointed out that “some members of the Mangyan indigenous group in the Philippines have traditionally rejected education, seeing it as a negative influence on their customs. Today, that is changing…the aspirations of the children are being supported by an Asian Development program that is helping local governments in the Philippines finance and improve the delivery of public services."
Source: Asian Development Bank. (2016). Fulfilling dreams of an education for indigenous people in the Philippines [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Y6NVlY1oM |
In this video, it will feature Teacher Charlo Galay, a mobile school teacher in Mindanao, who brings classroom to the far-flung community of Butuan City. Basically, he provides educational services to various types of learners such as teaching them with basic reading, writing, and math skills. Thus, this will highlight how education and community work together in order to achieve lifelong learning and education for all in the Philippines context.
Source: World Bank. (2014). Philippines: Education within reach [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VAL_Ysp8Iw |
References:
- Macaranas, F. M. (2007). Lifelong learning in the Philippines. International Labour Organization. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Federico_Macaranas/publication/242469791_Lifelong_Learning_in_the_Philippines/links/57111ba208aeebe07c023f21/Lifelong-Learning-in-the-Philippines.pdf
- ABS-CBN News. (2017). TV Patrol: Libreng tuition sa state universities, colleges, pirmado na ni Duterte [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYSwo_QE1eU
- Asian Development Bank. (2016). Fulfilling dreams of an education for indigenous people in the Philippines [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Y6NVlY1oM
- China Global Television Network. (2016). Assignment Asia: Philippine swim to school [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsxM0V2mtRY
- People’s Television Network. (2018). #PTVNEWS: Grupo ng mga guro, umalma sa CPD law [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG_CWaiwwA8
- Philippine Social Science Council. (2014). Dr. Cynthia Bautista on the national qualifications framework [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6fMWUjEEJc
- SEAMEO INNOTECH. (2012). Introduction to K to 12 (Part 1/3) [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5C3HsNZkBc
- UNESCO. (2010). Municipality of Agoo, Philippines: Literacy prize Laureate 2009 [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjfh4HZYkDM
- UNTV News and Rescue. (2014). Open High School Program (OHSP) [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCCv1hXhy2s
- UNTV News and Rescue. (2017). Private school teachers transfer to public schools due to low salary-DepEd [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPTC-zxGwPU
- World Bank. (2014). Philippines: Education within reach [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VAL_Ysp8Iw
- World Bank. (2014). Philippines: Teaching and learning outside classroom walls [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqhcyfMlb18