As part of this trip we have been able to visit three different schools for a few hours. The first, on Thursday afternoon, was St Paul College, Pasig, an all girls private school. Our second school yesterday, was a public school called Benigno Ninoy Aquino High School, and the third, a public school with a science focus and an entrance exam, called Makati Science High School. In all the schools we were greeted by staff and students, were sang to by the school's chorus, did class visits, and were able to speak with students and teachers. All students wore uniforms, were incredibly polite and genuinely happy to meet us, and seemed to have formed strong relationships with their teachers. All the schools seemed to encourage parental involvement, both through the PTA and through educating the parents about expectations of the families in the schools. All the schools, as is the case for most of the Philippines I think, use modules designed by the national Department of Education (or DepEd, as it is referred to). While teachers can make modifications based on the school's focus and students needs, the 'lesson planning' part begins at a national level by specialists. Teacher evaluation is also plays a large emphasis here, although in our panel discussion it came across as a very collaborative initiative in schools, and required lots of communication. I spent time with the science chair at Benigno Aquino and she has to do 60 observations a month for the evaluations and has 42 science department members.
Perhaps the most significant differences we have quickly observed here is the use of trade/Vo-tech programs in the public schools, (less need in the private schools). Teachers work with students in the lower grades (6th and below) to help guide them in to a trade and in the high school (7th -10th grade) students focus on the trade and do classes in this area in addition to the academic classes. For example, at Benigno Aquino, students can do electrics, dress making baking, technical drawing etc. Steve and I sat down at breakfast today and tried to peel back our feelings and thoughts about this....while I am a proponent of providing students with skills so that they can go in to a profession, there is a part of me that struggles with the lack of opportunity they have to probably attend college. Economics of the family does play a role in the future of the child. This is obviously not unique to the Philippines and a issue that is a global one. Equity. It also makes me realize that I know little about the college level education system here. Can a student that is in a Vo-Tech path in high school, graduate and then later, go to college? How hard is it to 'switch' once your choices have been made? It's reminding me of being 13 in England when we had to make choices for O levels.....how well did I and how well does anyone know themselves at the age of 13? Coincidently there is an editorial letter in the Philippine Daily Inquirer today that details aspects of this issue and looks at research and attitudes in countries about Vo-tech education. In the upcoming days I get to spend lots of time in one particular school, a private jesuit all boys school, that the current Filipino president graduated from....it will be interesting to be in a school for a while and to see what other observations and issues arise.