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Introduction: Exploring Educational Benchmarks
The second EdCom II Congressional Commission on Education’s travel plans were Australia, Finland, Vietnam, and the United States. Despite the criticism claiming that these trips are just frivolous junkets, and the teams keeping silent on their conclusions, it may be wise to reserve judgment until they reveal their findings. Considering the fast pace of global evolution, the continuous benchmarking practice should not be overlooked.
Seeking Inspiration from Vietnam’s Educational Success
Singapore’s Shift and Vietnam’s Triumph
The world, which used to look at Singapore as a symbol of the most prestigious education, saw its education minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, currently the President, lengthen his SEAMEO visit to Vietnam. His attention was drawn to the fact that while Vietnam won most international math competitions, it outperformed even better-funded nations like Singapore.
Learning from Nations in Catch-Up Mode
Those countries lagging might find themselves in a race where they must find answers to their peers. Furthermore, the critics may sarcastically refer to it as academic fun, but the potential value of this process could be immeasurable. Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez from the Negros Occidental underscores the paramountcy of undertaking such reformations to make the Philippine education system stronger.
Focus on Literacy: A Crucial Need
That fueled the national concern about the Pisa 2018 results, so the EdCom II was born. Vietnam has been highlighted as a memorable case study, especially when it comes to literacy lessons, a vital aspect of which was observed in a report written by a former Executive Director of the program, Mr. Karol Mark Yee.
Reading Literacy in the Philippines versus Vietnam
In 2022, only around 10 percent of Filipino children could read simple texts fluently and nearly 80 percent of children in Vietnam mastered this important capability. A reading level gap of this nature highlights the imperative for literacy-centered overhauls.
Pisa Test Scores: Highlighting Educational Disparities
In 2018 the Pisa tests highlighted the stark disparities between Vietnam and the Philippines. While Vietnam has a paper-based testing method that prevents Vietnam from appearing on the OECD rankings, it has outperformed OECD countries in reading, math, and science, demonstrating its educational capacity.
Exportable Education Policies: Insights from Vietnam
Prioritizing Education Budget Allocation
Laws in Vietnam make up 20 percent of the overall budget allocation for literacy lesson to reflect the willingness of the government to take care of the educational sector. However, the Philippines allocated less percentage in its 2024 budget which hints at the possible areas of inadequacy.
Emphasizing Early Basic Education
Vietnam gives great attention to primary education which attracts big number of common resources. They allocate more funds per student in Grades 1 to 3 than the Philippines. This so illustrates the importance of giving preference to the initial Philippine education.
Inclusive Educational Initiatives
The positive program that was implemented in Vietnam, especially for women and ethnic minorities serves as a good example. Supporting and motivating its students, Vietnam aims to have a more equitable education system.
Conclusion: Drawing Inspiration for Reform
The educational successes of Vietnam taught the policymakers of the Philippines much about what needs to be done. Giving literacy lesson, early education, and inclusiveness priority will put the groundwork for transformative reforms. Governed by this evidence, the Philippines may be able to dream of a more resilient and just educational system where the youth of the country will be able to lead a brighter future.
