Education summit, an education sham
Students call for ‘overhaul’ in education system

Press Release
January 30, 2007

A day before the Arroyo government’s scheduled Education Summit, the League of Filipino Students together with other youth groups called for a “general overhaul” of the country’s educational system and a reversal of the “rotten neoliberal policies” currently plaguing Philippine education.

“The rising cost of education has forced a growing number of students to either drop-out of school or work. Even State Colleges and Universities like the University of the Philippines are raising tuition fees alongside decreasing government subsidy. Shortages in classrooms, textbooks and teachers continue to hound basic and secondary education,” said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of the LFS.

According to independent databank IBON Foundation, the drop-out rates have risen from 7.7% in 2001-01 to 10.6% in 2005-06 in the elementary level, and from 8.5% to 15.8% in the secondary levels.
Crisostomo attributed these problems to the government’s “neoliberal policies” on education such as the Long-Term Higher Education Development Plan (LTHEDP), Medium-Term Higher Education Development Plan (MTHEDP) eben the Education Act of 1982.

He also cited the recent decision of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lift the ceiling on tuition hikes and fully deregulate tuition increases in private higher educational institutions as proof of the bias of the government to school-owners and businessmen.

“And these are just with regards to accessibility. he quality of education that we provide our students should also be assessed? For example, the focus on english, math and science and the lumping together of social sciences into one subject – Makabayan, does that develop nationalism and critical thought?” asked Crisostomo.

“Necessarily, the solution to these problems is a complete reversal of the government’s policies on education. One that makes it accessible for all and has a nationalist thought,” said Crisostomo.

However, the youth leader expressed doubts that tomorrow’s education summit shall come up with such solutions.

“Considering Arroyo’s track record for the last seven years, it will not be surprising if her Education Summit turns out to be an education sham, another attempt to mask anti-student policies as beneficial and necessary,” he added.

The LFS, along with other youth groups vowed to stage a demonstration tomorrow to bring genuine student concerns to the summit.

“We believe that instead of hoping that tomorrow’s event shall find genuine solutions to our country’s education woes, it would do us better to expose the summit for what it is, a farce,” said Crisostomo. ###

Reference:
Ron Villegas, Vice-chairperson and Information Officer, ronvil@gmail.com, 09154943120

Vencer Crisostomo, Chairperson, venzie@gmail.com, 09157991059, 09228262606