ASSESSING THE STUDENTS’ LEARNING

ACTIVITY 1
Jolly K. Ngaloy

According to Malcom X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those
who prepare for it today.” As one of the issues raised by Prince Ea is about educational system, as
education is the passport to the future then tomorrow depends on those who prepare for it today? That
“who” called teachers must take action with collaboration with parents and support from the
government to bring out the quality of educational system in our beloved country. In 2020, the top
three educational systems in the world were Finland, Denmark, and South Korea. Let us spot the
differences that made it to be in the top three: Finland has one of the most advanced and progressive
education systems in the world, which outperforms the United States in reading, science and
mathematics; Denmark revolve around learning Latin, Greek, and philosophy which literacy rates are
high at approximately 99% , the education system is well-rounded and the government invests highly in
education plus offering free education to aged 15-16 years old students; South Korea is highly-valued: in
fact, secondary school completion rates are 100%.Aside from it, secondary offered exam-free semester
and supplemental tutoring & after-school programs called hagwons.

To sum it up, those countries involved science and mathematics, multilingual language, free
education, highly-valued and tutoring services. How about Philippines, aside from the implementation of
K12, is that program capable enabling to provide quality of education that Filipino citizens deserve? Let
us take a look on Gatchalian’s eight ways to make Philippines education system competitive: 1)
Supporting K to 12, 2) Giving free college education, 3) Building more Public Math and Science schools,
4) Instituting a National Feeding Program, 5) Higher Teacher’s Salary, 6) Continuous Teacher Education,
7) Pushing for alternative education, 8) Reviving Mandatory ROTC. I agree from the above-mentioned
ways by Gatchalian (2015), aside from those is leveling up technologies which can be helpful in the
teaching-learning process especially that today’s generation are mostly digital natives.

To further elaborate some of the eight ways, let me present my humble explanation on what
actions should be done to fulfill our goal on providing the best quality of education among others: 1)
Supporting K to 12, despite the difficult adjustment made by parents on its implementation, parents
should understand why it is implemented and rather focus on its positive effect than its negative effect.
In order to support K to 12, today’s pandemic, parent and teacher relationship is important to provide
full support needed by every learner. Modular and Online learning are some ways to continue education
and parent’s guidance and tutoring is needed while teacher’s double effort such home visiting is an
important to be taken action. 2) Giving free college education, aside from scholarships granted to
students, some are taking part-time jobs outside and inside the campus because of financial problems
which caused them not to focus on their studies only. Giving free college education is helpful to those
who belong to poor families or those who lacks on financial matters. To enable do this, students can be
offered a free college and after graduating, they must pay it through rendering their service in the
government and be paid later.

3) Building more Public Math and Science schools, same as Finland that even outperforms
United States, having our own scientists, mathematics, engineers and skilled professionals is not just
something to be proud of but also it will help the economy boost to enable compete with other nations.
4) Higher Teacher’s Salary, as Gatchalian stated, “With more salary comes a more motivated and active
teacher”. Mostly said that working as a teacher will not make you rich because it makes you rich not by
materialistic matter but through how many lives of students touched, inspired and motivated by you. So,
with this, teachers should be paid on the amount they deserve because they are working on the noble
profession which creates other professions. 6) Continuous Teacher Education, having additional
knowledge to enable teach students effectively and efficiently. Aside from trainings and seminars,
pursuing masters and doctors’ degree should be done to allow teachers improve their ways of teaching.

REFERENCES
Gachalian, W. (2015) . Gachalian’s 8 Ways to make Philipine education system competitive. Retrieve
from http://wingatchalian.com/news/gatchalians-8-ways-to-make-philippine-education-system-
competitive
Humphries, L (2020). The Best Educational Systems in the World. Retrieve from
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/oecd.asp