HARD WORK by the academic sector combined with government efforts somehow did wonders for which the Philippines managed to get out from the bottom 10 of a list of countries with worse educational systems in place.
The country’s improved performance in the latest international education assessment should, however, be matched by reforms to ensure that students acquire skills relevant to employment, productivity and the country’s long-term economic competitiveness, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
The business group said it welcomed the country’s gains in the recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) but that the results should also prompt a broader review of whether the education system is producing the competencies needed by businesses and industries, according to a report published by the Business Mirror.
The Philippines recorded gains of 16 to 20 points in reading, mathematics and science, (particularly a 20-point improvement in reading)—the equivalent of roughly one year of formal schooling based on OECD benchmarks.
PCCI said the gains should be sustained while being complemented by other measures of educational outcomes.
The chamber encouraged the Department of Education (DepEd) to use indicators beyond PISA to determine whether learners are developing the competencies needed for lifelong learning, employment and active citizenship.
“Our goal should be an education system that equips every Filipino learner with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” said PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer.
PCCI said the recommendation was also outlined in its Education Task Force paper, Reform Our Education, Transform Our Future.
The country’s improved education performance, however, comes as the labor market continues to struggle to absorb workers.
Recent statistics showed that unemployment reached 6 percent in July, the highest since June 2022. The January-to-July average rose to 5.2 percent from 4.1 percent a year earlier.
PCCI said that for businesses, the issue extends beyond classroom performance. The quality and relevance of education affect the availability of workers who can meet the skills requirements of manufacturing, services and other industries, and the country’s ability to compete for investment and participate in global value chains.
PCCI also urged a review of how the country’s trifocalized education system is aligned and coordinated.
While basic education provides the foundation, the chamber said it must be better connected with technical-vocational (TECVOC) education and training and higher education to create a more productive and equitable workforce.
A stronger link across the three levels could help ensure that students move more effectively from basic education into skills training, higher education and eventually the labor market, particularly as industries face changing skills requirements.
PCCI stressed the need to sustain education reforms and accelerate implementation of recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II).
The chamber said continued reforms are needed to improve educational outcomes and strengthen the pipeline of skills available to the economy.
The PISA results, for the business sector, provide a measure of progress but not the full picture of whether the education system is preparing Filipinos for a changing economy.
PCCI affirmed its commitment to work with DepEd and other stakeholders on reforms aimed at improving educational outcomes and developing a workforce capable of competing in domestic and global markets.