The Pathways Bill A Review of House Bill 11213

The Pathways Bill A Review of House Bill 11213

As professionals in the animation industry, we must critically examine the proposed Education Pathways Act (House Bill 11213) and its potential impact on our country's education system. In this blog post, we will delve into the key points of the bill, assess the concerns raised by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea), and provide a thoughtful analysis of the proposed changes.

The Challenges posed by HB 11213

HB 11213 proposes significant changes to our country's K-12 program, which could have far-reaching consequences for our education system. A primary concern is that the bill renders senior high school and technical-vocational (tech-voc) programs optional, effectively making basic education a premature exit point for many students.

The Consequences of this Change

Cocopea argues that this reduction in compulsory education would lead to a decrease in the quality of our workforce, making it harder for our country to compete globally. Moreover, this change could have far-reaching consequences for Filipino students' future growth, employment, health, social mobility, and overall productivity.

The Importance of Quality Education

We cannot compromise on the quality of education our students receive. In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, it is essential that our education system prepares students for the demands of the 21st century. We must focus on developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed in their future careers.

The Technical-Vocational Track Industry-Driven Curriculum

The proposed bill also changes the technical-vocational track by making it an industry-driven curriculum approved by industry boards and regulated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). While this may provide a pathway for students who choose not to pursue higher education, we must be cautious not to create a two-tiered system that disadvantages those who opt for vocational training.

The Academic Track Flexibility and Choice

The bill also proposes changes to the academic track, allowing learners to choose between two pathways the University Preparatory Program under the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Technical-Vocational Program under Tesda. While this may provide more flexibility for students, we must ensure that our education system prepares all students, regardless of their chosen pathway, for success in their future careers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while HB 11213 may have some merits, we cannot overlook the potential risks and consequences it poses to our education system. As professionals in the animation industry, we must critically examine these proposed changes and urge Congress to conduct a comprehensive review of the bill before proceeding. We must prioritize quality education over quantity and ensure that our education system prepares all students for success in their future careers.

Final Thoughts

As Coco Pepa aptly reminds us, Schooling is not the same as learning. Let us focus on developing the skills and knowledge our students need to succeed in today's fast-paced world. Let us work together to create an education system that values quality over quantity and prepares all students for success.

Keywords Education Pathways Act, House Bill 11213, Cocopea, Technical-Vocational Program, University Preparatory Program, DepEd, Tesda, Philippine Qualifications Framework, National Certificate

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.