The Cost of Comprehension: Why Filipino Students are Falling Behind

 by Kirsten Klaire Gimoro & Gabriel Operaña

image by: Fulcrum

Cultural Significance of Education

    Education has always held a special place in Filipino Society, to any society really. It is seen as the key to a better life, a tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, and a source of pride for families. Parents often make great sacrifices by working overseas, taking multiple jobs, or cutting back on personal needs to ensure their children can attend school.

Declining Learning Outcomes

    The quality of education has also come under scrutiny. National assessments have revealed alarming declines in student proficiency, particularly in reading, mathematics, and science. These learning gaps are attributed to large class sizes, limited teacher training, and a curriculum that often fails to adapt to real-world needs. Students are frequently promoted without mastering foundational skills, leading to cumulative learning deficits persisting throughout their academic journey. The pressure to perform, combined with economic hardships and unstable learning environment, have also taken a toll on students' mental health and motivation.

Why the School System Makes it Difficult?

    The Department of Education (DepEd) continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving the Philippine education system, but deep-rooted structural issues hinder meaningful progress in student comprehension and learning. One major obstacle is the prevalence of overcrowded classrooms, where teachers are unable to provide individualized support, leaving struggling students to fall further behind. Compounding this issue is the lack of adequate resources, especially in rural and underserved areas, where outdated textbooks and limited learning materials restrict students' ability to practice and strengthen their understanding. Additionally, the abrupt transition from Mother Tongue instructions to English or Filipino in higher grade levels creates a significant language barrier, forcing students to mentally translate complex concepts before they can even begin to grasp them. This constant linguistic shift places an extra cognitive burden on learners, making deep comprehension even more difficult to achieve.

The Problem Crosses Generations

image by: UNICEF

    The struggle with deep comprehension in education is not a new issue in the Philippines, it reflects the way many generations have been taught, and its impact varies across age groups. Older adults were largely educated through rote memorization, where success was measured by the ability to recite facts rather than to question their relevance or validity. This method left many ill-equipped for critical analysis or reflective thinking. Meanwhile, the younger generation, shaped by the fast-paced nature of the internet, tends to skim and bounce between content, rarely engaging with lengthy or complex texts. This habit fosters a surface-level reading culture, making it difficult for students to grasp nuanced or critical ideas in academic materials. As a result, both generations may be able to read headlines but often lack the skills to discern misinformation or evaluate the truthfulness of written content.

Teachers on the Frontlines

image by: Department of Education (DepEd)

    Filipino teachers continue to serve as pillars of the education system, often going above and beyond their duties. They spend personal funds on classroom materials, travel to remote barangays to deliver modules, and adapt to new technologies with minimal support. Despite their dedication, they face low salaries, heavy workloads, and limited professional development opportunities.

Efforts and Innovations

    In response to these struggles, various initiatives have emerged to support learners and educators. Community learning hubs have been established to provide internet access and shared resources. The Department of Education has launched programs like DepEd TV and radio-based instruction to reach students without online connectivity. Youth-led organizations are advocating for mental health awareness, inclusive education, and digital literacy. Local Governments Units (LGUs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are stepping in with scholarship programs, teacher training, and infrastructure support.

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