Name: DONA L.
BANTASAN
Professor: Dr. Angelo C. Marabot, Ph. D
Course Code: RC100 Philosophy of Education
EDCOM Results and Findings to Educational System (1991): Basis of
Philippine Educational Philosophies – EDCOM Findings (1991) – Major
developments in the Philippine educational system relative to the
recommendations of EDCOM with corresponding legal basis.
"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of
progress, in every society, in every family." - Kofi Annan. This quote emphasizes the
interconnectedness of knowledge, freedom, and progress. It stresses that education is
not just an individual benefit but a fundamental requirement for societal advancement. To
attain this, Philippine Government created EDCOM to elicit common concerns and issues
of current education set-up, participants’ assessment of the school performance, quality
of education program and suggestions.
The Philippines became the most expanded school systems in the world. The
country has the highest participation rate in elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
Despite these positives, functional literacy is low (only 73%). This means a significant
portion of the population, while literate, may not be able to apply reading and writing skills
effectively in real-life situations with this reason, Philippine education cannot premise a
progress. Despite high participation rates, the low functional literacy and low achievement
scores suggest serious concerns about the quality of education being provided. Based
on the EDCOM findings, Philippine education in the year 1991 faced a serious and
persistent challenges. The system is described as "failed," "ineffective," and
"mismatched" with societal needs. The issues span access, quality, relevance, and
systemic organization. A call for more than just incremental changes; a fundamental
rethinking and restructuring of the system seems necessary. EDCOM gave lots of
recommendations. They believed that strengthening basic education was paramount but
also saw the need for improvements in higher education governance, cost-effectiveness,
and relevance. The overarching theme is the efficient and productive use of resources to
maximize the impact of education investments for the benefit of the Filipino people. There
are 5 laws passed based on the recommendation of EDCOM: RA 7722, RA7796, RA
7784, RA 7836, and RA 7797. The initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach,
addressing teacher training, higher education, technical skills, and basic education
infrastructure. However, the long-term success of these reforms will depend on sustained
commitment, effective implementation, and continuous evaluation to adapt to evolving
needs and challenges. It's important to consider the broader context, including
socioeconomic factors, resource constraints, and cultural nuances, to fully understand
the impact of these changes.
In conclusion, education can bring progress not only to children and their family
but also in the society they live in. Philippine education system faces deep-seated,
systemic challenges that have persisted for decades, despite numerous reform efforts.
The core problems revolve around unequal access to quality education, particularly for
marginalized communities due to poverty, geographic location, and special needs.
Concerns about the quality of instruction, outdated curriculum, a mismatch between
education and workforce needs, and a perceived irrelevance of education to real-life
situations. Ineffective organization, incompetent training of teachers, and a lack of
accountability contribute to the system's struggles. A fundamental rethinking and
restructuring of the education system are necessary. Moving forward, a sustained and
collaborative effort is crucial, involving policymakers, educators, communities, and other
stakeholders. This effort must be grounded in evidence-based practices, strong political
will, and a genuine commitment to ensuring that all Filipinos have access to a high-quality,
relevant education that prepares them for success in the 21st century. The long-term
development and prosperity of the nation depend on it.
