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Senator Nancy Binay raises concerns that the Department of Education’s plan to focus only on students taking PISA would leave the majority of students behind
MANILA, Philippines – In preparation for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025, the Department of Education (DepEd) will launch a special science program for students who will undergo the assessment.
“We have identified 1.6 million learners who are going to be the target samples for PISA-like items. The special science program will be rolled out in the second quarter of school year 2024-2025 for Grades 7 to 10,” Education Undersecretary Gina Gonong said during a Senate probe into learning recovery on Monday, September 16.
Gonong said the special science program will integrate PISA-like questions into its lessons and be rolled out in stages: first for all Grades 7 to 10 students, then targeting 1.6 million learners from 150 to 180 schools, and finally focusing on 7,500 to 8,000 students who will take the PISA exam.
PISA 2025 will focus on scientific knowledge of students.
In 2022, the Philippines ranked 77th out of 81 countries in the PISA rankings, once again having the lowest proficiency levels for 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science.
During the hearing, Senator Nancy Binay raised concerns that the DepEd’s plan to focus only on students taking PISA would leave the majority of students behind.
“We’re just preparing for the test, right? For students taking the test. But we’re not really there yet in addressing the problem that was raised because of the PISA results,” Binay said.
“And for me, hindi solusyon ‘yung tuwing magte-test, maghahanda tayo (preparing only for the test is not the solution) to get good grades, good scores. Kasi big portion of our students, sila ‘yung naiiwan (Because a big portion of our students are the ones who get left behind),” she added.
Gonong responded that high PISA scores can be a “source of national pride” and inspire other students to excel academically.
Unsatisfied, Binay asked Gonong if teachers are being trained to teach in the way PISA questions are answered.
“Yes, your honor. Our National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines is providing professional development programs for teachers to empower them on teaching strategies that could help address the needs of our students,” Gonong said. – Rappler.com
