Lecture on Education and Economic Development

Introduction

• Investment in people is both a moral and economic imperative.
• World Bank report attributes promising economic growth to the skill and resourcefulness of Filipinos.

Budget and Development Priorities

• Increased budget for inclusive development in food, nutrition, health, education, and training.
• Emphasis on harnessing the full potential of Filipinos.

Current Educational Assessment

• Over 50% of students in grades 6, 10, and 12 fail to reach ideal proficiency levels.
• Low performance in information literacy, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

National Learning Recovery Program

• Must proceed without disruption, especially in basic education.
• Education system needs strategic calibration to develop problem solvers and critical thinkers.

Bridging the Digital Gap

• Addressing classroom and digital gaps with equal intensity.
• Vision for students equipped with computers, smart TVs, digital books, reliable power, and internet.
• Integration of digitalization and solar-powered electricity in schools.

Educational Reform Through Technology

• Resolution of textbook problems with updated, error-free instructional materials.
• Streamlining manuscript approval, procurement, and distribution from 3 years to 1 year.

Role of Teachers

• Emphasis on quality of education depending on teacher quality.
• Teachers are the foundation of the educational system.
• Commitment to uplift and upskill teachers.

Teacher Support and Benefits

• Additional support staff for teachers' professional development.
• Legal return to teaching, allowance for teaching tools, and personal accident insurance.
• Special hardship allowance for teachers in challenging environments.
• Implementation of expanded career progression for public school teachers.
• Two career paths: teaching and school administration, promoting career growth.

Higher Education

• International recognition of higher education system with 87 institutions in world rankings.
• Increase in enrollment rates in higher and technical vocational education.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

• High employability of TVET graduates: 8 out of 10 find decent jobs.
• Joint efforts by DepEd, CHED, DoLE, and TESDA to incorporate TVET in senior high school curriculum.
• TVET's role in country development and maintaining high employment rates.

Conclusion

• Strong emphasis on educational reform and investment in teachers to achieve educational success.