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.

Speech on Advocating K+12.... by Linda Saab

Date : Nov.20,2010

A speech to be delivered to the General Parent Teachers Association Meeting


To our young energetic Barangay Capt. Teodulo D. Pabatao ,to our very supportive GPTA President Mr. Joseph B. Abol, to our young and generous GPTA Auditor Mrs. Corazon B. Abucay,to the President of alumni association Mrs. Nanette Tarnate, The student pupil government Kate Tricia Lagunay to our cooperative parents , devoted teachers ,ladies and gentlemen.

Our national hero ones said that “ The youth is the hope of fatherland” I want to ask you about our observation about our youth, can we expect something from them ? Do they posses values worthy for emulation to the generations to come? Who among you here have children already graduated? After graduation , do they have avenues for job? Have you hear about K+12 ? Yes thank you for that . Did you understand what K+12 is all about? I hope you will listen to be able to understand it well so that you will also be the walking advertisement of this proposed change of curriculum. K12 is enhanced curriculum 12 years na ang Basic Education Program that is Kindergaten + 12 years in elementary and secondary education. In short additional years to equip our children for the necessary skills and abilities to be employed in the market world. Sa Pilipinas lamang mayroong 10 years in basic education. Sa mga lugar katulad ng Brunie, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand ,Vietnam ay may 12 years Basic Education. I have a friend her daughter who is a licensed nurse did not qualify to work abroad because of her age. Psychologists and educators say that children under 18 are generally not emotionally prepared for entrepreneurship or employment .In our present system there is a mismatch in the labor and education markets. The graduates in the Philippines are not automatically recognized as professionals abroad.

The advantages of this Enhanced curriculum is that every graduate of K+12 Basic Education is ready to take his place as productive and responsible member of society. Graduates will possess competencies and skills relevant to the job market so that our graduates will be prepared for higher education, better to start their own business and they could now be recognized abroad. Ang klase sa atong edukasyon layo ra sa laing nasud. Pina agi niining K+12, kindergarten,unom ka tuig sa elementayra, upat ka tuig sa junior high school,(Grades 11 to 12) duha ka tuig sa senior high school. The two years in senior high school will allow specializations in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship . Sa lagtod nga pagkasulti mao kini ang K-6-4-2 Model, 6 years modawat sa diploma, 4 years junior high school modawat gihapon og diploma ug usab ang 2 years nga senior high school. A full 12 years of basic education will eventually be required for entry into tertiary level education. Parents and stakeholders maybe you are still in doubt to this program . Ang sabi sa ating pangulo “ Tao ang Boss” Anuman ang opinion at kuro-kuro ninyo ay pwede nating pag usapan. What is important that the government officials are trying their best to improve the quality of educational system of the Philippines for the betterment of all Filipinos and the generations to come. I would like to say thank you for listening mabuhay ang Pilipino , mabuhay ang Pilipinas !

LINDA D. SAAB
Principal

Ophelia S Lumogda: Korea & UK Education

Korea is situated in the territory of South East Asia while United Kingdom is located in the North Western Coast in Europe. What makes their educational system
comparable? What are the differences between the two? Let me count the ways….

Both of their education is compulsory and administered by the Ministry of Education. In the United Kingdom, their educational structure is divided into 4 main parts: Primary ranges from (5 to 7 )&(7 to 11), Secondary and further Education from (11 to 16).Students are given assessment at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students pursue General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once the students completed their GCSE they have the choice to go to further studies education and their potential higher education or finish school and go to work.

The educational system in United Kingdom observes an Entry Requirements. Each level of education in the UK has varying requirements which must be satisfied in order to gain entry at the level-learner .

Their curriculum is packed with the guidance and tools to help school designs a curriculum that inspires and challenges all their learners. It sets out the knowledge and skills that are important to their children to become successful learner, confident individual, and respectful citizen. The subjects offered are Art and Design, Citizenship, Designs and Technology, Geography, History,Information and Communication technology Modern foreign Languages and Politics. More or less the subjects offered in their curriculum has some similarities to the Philippine education

On the other hand, in Korea the subjects consist of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts, English, P.E and Korean .

The structure of their education is Primary ,Secondary and Middle Schools. The students in the secondary are given assessment based on his level of education. In the middle school it consist of the three grades ; this marks considerable shift from elementary school, with students expected to take studies and school much more seriously. Most middle school students take six lessons a day; Math,English, Korean, Social Studies, Science as the core subjects. Just like in the Philippines classes are from Mondays to Fridays and Saturdays are activity time.

If I am in the position to assess which of the curriculum between the two which is superior than other ,it’s the United Kingdom.

Mitchell Villaceran: United Kingdom's Educational System

When we speak of the UK Educational System, the four constituent countries have similar system. In terms of structure, they have pre-higher education system and higher education system.

The pre-higher education is the compulsory education. This starts with 5 year old to 16 year old. Under pre-higher education are the primary education, which is a 6 year education program-from age 5 to 11, and the comprehensive school, which is from ages 11 to 16. The primary education is divided into two: the Basic First Stage – a two year education program for age 5 to 7 – and the Basic Second Stage – a four year education program for age 7 to 11. They also have secondary education – for age 11 to 16 – which has three types of school: the Secondary Modern, Grammar School and City Technology College. Then, they have the Sixth Form forage 16 to 18.

UK’s classes are on September to July. The language of instruction is, of course, English.

Talking about the university levels, they have the first stage – Undergraduate Stage, the second stage – Master’s Degree or Master of Philosophy, and the third stage – Doctor of Philosophy or Higher Doctorate.

They, too, have Open Universities, which offers distance higher education.
UK education has given importance on Physical Education. This is evident because many famous athletes came from UK.

The UK Education System seemed to be different. They divided the primary education into different stage and so with the secondary education that they have different types.

Whatever the curriculum is, the bottom line is always the implementation.

Mitchell Villaceran: South Korea's Education

I was caught with the statement that education in South Korea, as pointed by the reporter Sally Aguilar last January 22, is viewed crucial for success and competition is consequently very neatly heated and fierce. This is evident with the kind of system they have that students can go home at midnight from school. After their regular class, they go to academies where they attend tutorial sessions.

South Korean Education is managed and governed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Sometimes they don't consider Physical Education important.
They have kindergarten but it is not publicly administered, so, parents send their children to private schools. Children age 3-7 are in preschool. The elementary education caters children ages 8 to 14 in Korean years (6-13 in western years). Usually, the class teacher is in-charge most of the subject and there are some specialized teachers in profession like Physical Education and Foreign Language.
In their secondary education, it is composed of two levels: the middle school and the high school. The middle school is composed of three grades, from age 12/13 to 15/16 (western years). Before the class, students have an extra block, 30 minutes long, spent for self-study, watching educational broadcast, or for personal or class administration. They offered special classes on Saturdays for Club Activity (CA) Lessons. It is a half day class on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of the month
The high schools in Korea can be divided into two which would depend on the interest of the students. They have special high school where students must take entrance exam. The other type of high schools is with or without entrance exam in both in public or private high schools. The latter does not focus on specialized field but on sending students to college. Then, after high school, students may go to college or vocational school.

So far, South Korean Education is rigorous. Schools supported “self-study” sessions that last until midnight.

Sally Aguilar: South Korea's Educational System

From my research and internet surfing for my assigned report last January 22, 2011, the education in South Korea is viewed as crucial because success and competition is consequently very neatly heated and fierced. A centralized administration oversees the process for the education of children from Kindergarten to the third and final year of high school.

The following are generally considered as the most important subjects; Mathematics, Science, Korean, Social Studies, and English. Sometimes Physical Education is not considered important as it is not regarded to be education and therefore many schools lack high quality gymnasiums and varsity athletics.

South Korea was the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet access from every primary, junior and high school. Their school year is divided into two semesters. The first begins in the beginning of March and ends in mid-July; The second begins in late August and ends in mid-February. They have summer vacation from mid-July to late-August, and winter vacation from late-December to early February to March 1.

The Ministry of Education's Science and Technology (often abbreviated into “the Ministry of Education”) is responsible for South Korean Education. Meanwhile as I looked into our educational system, in our country Philippines, here are the Principles and general objectives and our education system aims to:

• Provide a broad general education that will assist each individual in society to attain his/her potential as a human being, and enhance the range and quality of the individual and the group;
• Help the individual participate in the basic functions of society and acquire the essential educational foundation for his/her development into a productive and versatile citizen;
• Train the nation’s manpower in the middle-level skills required for national development;
• Develop the high-level professions that will provide leadership for the nation, advance knowledge through research, and apply new knowledge for improving the quality of human life;
• Respond effectively to changing needs and conditions through a system of educational planning and evaluation.

I, as a teacher is hoping and doing my best to uplift the standard of our education. I know that my co educators also who are my classmates in this subject wished the same but, we know that this is possible if the people in-charge on top would also aim like we do. Maybe in my own little way, I can help change for the better and implement changes in my classroom and my students.

Sally Aguilar: United Kingdom's Educational System

Life is full of surprises, this is a universal knowledge but my experience upon listening while exploring the different parts of the world and their educational system is fun and I am really looking forward to this subject in order to get to know about their education, location, beautiful places and great people.

From the enthusiastic sharing of the reporter, Ms. Bernadette Calvo last January 22,2011, my past knowledge was refreshed and enhanced about the countries of the United Kingdom. United Kingdom is a term used to describe England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These four countries together form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which is a sovereign state.

By law, all children in England and Wales between ages 5 and 16 must receive a full-time education, while in Northern Ireland, children must begin at age 4. For children under age 5, publicly-funded nurseries and pre-schools are available for a limited number of hours each week. After the age of 16, students can attend sixth form colleges or other further education institutions. Both options offer general education courses in addition to more specific vocational or applied subjects.

The UK introduced a National Curriculum in 1992 and state schools are required to adhere to it until students reach age 16. The Education and Skills Act of 2008 raised the compulsory age to 18, effective 2013 for 17 year-olds and in 2015 for 18 year-olds. (Independent schools are not obliged to adhere to the National Curriculum.)

National Curriculum core subjects are: English (Welsh is also a core subject in Welsh-speaking schools), mathematics, science, design and technology, information and communication technology, history, geography, modern foreign languages, music, art and design, physical education, and citizenship. In addition to these core subjects are a number of other compulsory courses, such as religious education.
Northern Ireland follows a similar framework; however, schools can develop additional curriculum elements to express their particular ethos and meet pupils' individual needs and circumstances. The curriculum also includes the Irish language in Irish-speaking schools.