DepEd sees poor PH scores in global exam

EDUCATION officials expect a «bleak» showing for the Philippines once the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test scores are released by the Organization for Educational Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The test, which happens every three years, evaluates educational systems in both OECD member and non-member states through the scholastic performance of 15-year-old pupils in mathematics, science and reading.

It will be the second time the country is participating in the global assessment. The first time was in 2018.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said its participation in the PISA will, together with its own National Achievement Test, provide the necessary feedback for making policy decisions and reforms.

It said the country's consistency in participation in assessment will allow for the continuity of data for monitoring improvements for identifying gaps and areas for growth in basic education.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said she expects the results of the PISA to be «not good.»

«Hindi kasi pwede na kung ano ang ginagawa natin ngayon, iyon pa rin yung ginagawa natin ng paulit ulit. Nakailang results na tayo ng PISA… at hindi pa rin maganda ang assessments, ang scores ng mga bata (We should not just allow ourselves to do what we have done before repeatedly. We already have two results from the PISA, and the assessments and scores of the learners are not good,» Duterte said during the culmination of the National Reading Month last November 21.

The exams were held during the time when there were no face-to-face classes.

The country, which resorted to remote learning at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, returned to face-to-face classes in November 2022.

Anticipating poor PISA results, the DepEd has adopted several measures to help the education system reverse years of learning losses.

Among them is the revitalized Matatag K to 10 curriculum, which aims to decongest the current K to 10 curriculum and focus on key competencies and foundational skills of learners.

Another is the «Catch-Up Fridays,» where students will catch up on their lessons.

Duterte said Catch-up Fridays will also foster critical thinking and analysis