1. Why is it not possible to quantify the benefits of education?

Cite examples or situations to

quantify your ideas.

Learning outcomes can easily be measured using different assessment tools. However, the
benefit of education is difficult to quantify because these are intangible. For example, poverty
reduction, communication, critical thinking skills, and a sense of accomplishment. These benefits,
and particularly their magnitudes, take much work to quantify. Nevertheless, the lack of
quantification does not make the benefits any less real or significant. The benefits of education can
only be quantified once the person is already participating in economic activities. For example, a 4-
year-old child enrolled in the preschool or Day Care Center. The child is expected to learn basic skills;
however, the value of learning in this stage cannot be measured or quantified because he will not be
able to apply these skills or participate in economic activities.

On the contrary, if the person has already finished his studies and is already employed, that
will be the only time that benefits if education is measured. This is like putting-up a business. It will
take a little while to reap the investment or enjoy the ROI.

2. Is it possible to quantify definitively the efficient level of spending on education? Why?

Public education is subjected to public spending. However, in countries with limited financial
resources like the Philippines, looking or checking where these public funds go is crucial. To
determine the efficiency and inefficiency of public spending can quantify using indicators like
quantity and quality of outputs. Spending on education can be efficient and inefficient depending on
the result or outcomes. For example, if funds are being spent according to plans and whether the
spending units achieved the intended objectives. It becomes efficient if the education sector
produces more quality graduates with lesser expenditures. On the other hand, if it produces low-
quality graduates with higher expenditures.