THE government should prioritize the digitization of K-12 education to elevate learners’ competence and competitiveness, said Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase Institute, an independent, international research organization.
Manhit added that the dismal performance of Filipino students in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) should motivate the government to improve the education system.
PISA results showed Filipino students were the weakest in mathematics, reading and science. In tests that require the use of imagination and creativity to generate and improve ideas, they finished in the bottom four among 64 countries.
Manhit said the United Nations was pushing the digitization of education across different countries.
“Specifically, the UN has identified content, capacity, and connectivity as key components of this pursuit. The Philippines must align its efforts to these priorities as well,” he added.
The UN defined the initiative as “high-quality, curriculum-relevant teaching and learning materials delivered through digital platforms.”
“Digital technology is a transformative force in learning and productivity. We have to make use of the advantages offered by being virtually connected to the wealth of global knowledge that is now readily available in cyberspace,” Manhit said.
Meanwhile, Orlando Oxales, lead convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, hailed the Department of Education for forging partnerships with private firms, specifically the Ayala Group, to improve internet connectivity in schools across the country.
“While Filipino students possess innate digital savvy and adaptability, fostering this potential through digitally empowered education will nurture an army of digital innovators the Philippines needs to become a global digital powerhouse,” Oxales said.
“By doing so, we enable them with the skills and opportunities to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” he added.
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