Revisiting Education Pathways Why Review of House Bill 11213 Matters for Philippine Students This title effectively captures the main theme of the blog post, which is a critique of the proposed Education Pathways Act (House Bill 11213) and its potential impact on education in the Philippines. The use of Revisiting suggests that the author is re-examining existing ideas or policies, which fits well with the tone of the post, which is analytical and critical.

Revisiting Education Pathways Why Review of House Bill 11213 Matters for Philippine Students

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) has called attention to the proposed Education Pathways Act, also known as House Bill 11213. This legislation aims to provide students with two education pathways after completing junior high school a University Preparatory Program under the Department of Education (DepEd) or a Technical-Vocational Program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

Concerns about the Proposed Legislation

Cocopea expresses concern that the bill's proposal to render senior high school and tech-voc programs optional may lead to basic education becoming a premature exit point for many students, ultimately affecting their future growth, employment, health, social mobility, and overall productivity.

Furthermore, Cocopea believes that the proposed complete separation of the Tech-Voc track from secondary education under the bill weakens the stability of the program, as it no longer enjoys the constitutional compulsoriness and mandate of free public secondary education.

The Importance of a Comprehensive Review

Cocopea urges Congress to conduct a thorough review of the proposed Education Pathways Act before proceeding further. The organization argues that the country's performance in global student assessments, such as PISA and TIMSS, highlights that while we have aligned with the global standard of 12 years of schooling, we continue to fall behind in terms of learning outcomes.

Instead of changing the number of years of schooling, Cocopea suggests that Congress should focus on improving the quality of learning, curriculum quality, content delivery, accessibility, and governance. This approach would address many of the issues without requiring new legislation.

Industry Experts' Concerns

Industry experts agree with Cocopea's concerns about the potential impact of HB 11213 on education outcomes. Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, notes that the bill aims to provide learners with a choice of different career pathways after finishing Grade 10.

However, he also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the tech-voc track provides an industry-driven curriculum approved by industry boards and regulated by Tesda. Romulo believes that this approach would help address the issue of many graduates receiving only an NC2 certificate, which does not provide the skilled work required for high-paying jobs.

Conclusion

The review of House Bill 11213 is crucial to ensure that education in the Philippines remains responsive to the evolving needs of Filipino learners. Cocopea's concerns about the bill's potential impact on learning outcomes and the quality of education are well-founded, and it is essential that Congress takes these issues into account as they consider the proposed Education Pathways Act.

By focusing on improving the quality of learning, rather than simply changing the number of years of schooling, we can ensure that all students have access to high-quality education that prepares them for their future careers.

Note I made minor changes to improve readability and flow.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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