Improving quality of Philippine education

Part 2

            Agenda 2 has to do with improving the quality of instruction and teachers with the target that all learners meet basic skills based on international standards.  Teachers should be trained for their empowerment as well as for the creation of context-based learning materials.  Strengthen the implementation of the Instructional Supervision Framework and Middle Leadership Development for Teachers.  As regard systems and structural improvement, the objective is to attain quality teacher education programs rather than focusing on quantity.   There should be reforms in teacher certification, hiring, distribution and promotion of teachers.  Continuing professional development should be made available to teachers.  Priority should be given to developing large pool of early childhood educators.

            Agenda 3 refers to the work place itself.  This is where employers can play an important role in complementing the educational system in the improvement of the quality of education.  Employers should be incentivized to prioritize professional development and employment facilitation.  Through various types of on-the-job training, there should be both abundant opportunities and scholarship for trainees.  Especially at the Senior High School (SHS) level, the curriculum should be improved so that the link between schools on one hand the industries and communities on the other can be strengthened.  Beyond the job-related competencies and skills, there should be an equal stress on mentoring trainees on workplace attitudes and ethics well as relational competencies.  With the incre