President Marcos Jr. Advocates Technology and Teacher Specialization for Education Enhancement

 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is advocating for the incorporation of technology in schools and the specialization of teachers to enhance the quality of education for Filipino students. During a sectoral meeting at Malacañan Palace on Thursday, Marcos instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) to support teachers and learners adapting to new technologies, emphasizing the critical role of technology and professional development for teachers in improving students' learning skills.

The President stressed the need to take proactive measures to improve Filipino learners' performance and address the country's subpar results in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Education Undersecretary Gina Gonong relayed Marcos's emphasis on the importance of utilizing technology for learning, citing PISA findings that indicate an increase in a child's performance when gadgets are used in education.

Despite an increase in scores for Reading and Mathematics and a decline in Science, the Philippines ranked low in proficiency levels according to PISA 2022 results. Gonong acknowledged the country's persistent low proficiency level and emphasized the Department's commitment to pursuing reforms to enhance educational outcomes.

Undersecretary Michael Poa highlighted DepEd's focus on improving teaching quality, competency, and supporting teachers' specializations. Marcos expressed confidence that with government support, there could be around a 60-percent improvement in the education system. Initiatives such as the National Learning Recovery Program, the MATATAG curriculum, and "Catch-up Fridays" are part of DepEd's efforts to address performance gaps and enhance students' skills.

PISA, a triennial international comparative study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, assesses 15-year-olds' abilities in Mathematics, Reading, and Science in real-world situations. The Philippines participated in PISA 2022, where some 690,000 students represented about 29 million 15-year-olds across 81 countries and economies.(PNA)