Some thoughts on Comparative Education .... by Linda Saab

Dear Dr. Olga,

In the past I was pessimistic of contest or the idea of comparing because it is said in the scripture “ Do not compare yourself to others you maybe less or more than what you expect”. I just work to the best I can and feel the contentment of the things I have achieved. I don’t want to be compared to other teacher or administrator because I feel that I am unique and we have individual potentials bestowed by God .

This era, data are being gathered and compared like the test results, nutritional status , grades, salaries and for many other activities. I am now beginning to understand the significance of comparative studies to analyze that our work is unique and by comparing the result to our previous work would create challenge in us to improve our work and at the same time if we compare it to others, we feel challenged to strive for better result that would influence others thereby contaminating others to strive for more improvement/ development of themselves and for the society as whole. Through this, I will be able to recognize the strength and weaknesses. With this, weaknesses could be given attention/ focus to address to get the desired result. One would find that what is happening in our home, society and nation is better to stimulate for more researches and solutions that would improve the living condition of our country to have practical reform and better school system. And a desirable attitudes for the benefits of all people.

As I enroll this subject I begun to understand the significance of comparing for the improvement and better result like education in the Philippines. There is a need to compare the educational system from one country to another to have better insights and for the improvement of the daily tasks. Also to review the system to measure effectiveness and for better implementation in order to open for all new opportunities for the school to address the need of society. It is in comparing that we can see the difference and to embrace it positively that would give much effort for the development and improvement to have better school, community and society as a whole.