Imagine a classroom where most kids can’t read properly… and teachers are overworked, undertrained, and forced to teach subjects they didn’t even study. That’s what’s happening right now in many parts of the Philippines — and a group called Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) is raising the alarm.
They say Philippine education is in deep trouble, and the country needs to change how schools are run — fast — or risk failing another generation of children.
🎯 What Is PBEd Calling For?
PBEd is an education advocacy group created by top business leaders, and here’s what they want to fix:
✅ 1. Give More Power to Local Schools
They want to let school leaders and local governments (LGUs) take charge instead of leaving everything to Manila. Why? Because every region has different problems — what works in NCR may not work in BARMM or Samar.
They also want to make sure that the Special Education Fund (SEF) is spent properly — not just on buildings, but on teacher training, books, and classroom needs.
✅ 2. Help Kids Learn the Basics Early
PBEd says kids must learn reading, writing, and math at the right age — especially in Grades 1–3. They want to invest in programs like ECCD (Early Childhood Care and Development) and the Aral Law to help struggling learners catch up.
✅ 3. Match College Courses to Real Jobs
They say a lot of graduates still can’t find jobs because what they learned in school doesn’t match what employers need. PBEd wants schools, TESDA, CHED, and DepEd to work together and update what’s being taught in colleges and tech-voc programs.
✅ 4. Support Teachers and Schools
PBEd says teachers need better training, fewer students per class, and more support in the classroom — like tools, books, and modern teaching methods. Right now, more than 62% of teachers are teaching subjects they’re not experts in.
“Many of them are products of the same broken system,” said PBEd.
😞 Shocking Numbers You Should Know
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9 out of 10 Filipino students can’t read properly at their grade level.
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In far-flung areas, only 7 out of 100 Grade 1 students go on to finish college.
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4 out of 10 college students drop out before graduating.
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TESDA doesn’t have enough assessors, so students can’t get certified fast enough.
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Many local school boards aren’t even active.
🆘 Why This Is a Crisis
PBEd says this isn’t just about school — it’s about the economy, jobs, and our country’s future.
“Our learners are racing against time,” said PBEd’s Executive Director Bal Camua.
“This is not just an education issue. It’s a national crisis.”
They warn that if nothing changes, another generation will leave school without the skills, hope, or opportunities they deserve.
🕒 Why It’s Urgent
The current education reform group EDCOM II only has three years left. PBEd fears that if the government doesn’t act fast, all these efforts might go to waste — just like other reforms in the past.
“The window for change is closing fast,” said PBEd’s Samantha Ulchico.
“We cannot afford to waste another decade.”
💡 Bottom Line?
Fixing education isn’t just about new policies from the top. It’s about empowering local schools, supporting teachers, and making sure students are ready for the real world.
Because when students fail, it’s not just them who lose — the entire country suffers.
