ADB calls for broad reforms in education

MANILA, Philippines — Countries in the Asia-Pacific should initiate far-reaching reforms for the resilience of education and training systems to prevent the erosion of human capital amid the pandemic, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In a report titled “COVID-19 and Education in Asia and the Pacific,’’ the Manila-based multilateral bank said economic recovery in its developing member countries in the region is strongly tied in getting people back in the labor market by equipping them with skills needed in jobs that would be created in the new normal.

“Powered by knowledge, skills and human capital, the recovery in education will also help to support the recovery in other sectors,” said ADB Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department chief sector officer Robert Guild.

As governments struggle with the costs of healthcare and other measures meant to usher in recovery, ADB said it is “vital to protect education budgets.”

Likewise, investing in reskilling and upskilling of workers who lost jobs during the pandemic will play a critical role in recovery by enabling them to be reemployed.

Around 1.7 billion students were affected by school closures worldwide. In the wake of the crisis, the focus was placed on the continuity of schooling through the use of technology.

The note stresses, however, that while education technology tools can be a game changer, the focus moving forward should remain on the quality of learning.

To address inequalities in digital access, ADB urged expanding access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity for households and education and training institutions, including through partnerships with telecommunications providers.

The use of big data can also improve teachers’ ability to assess students and introduce greater transparency and accountability by linking education delivery with learning data.

“Developing countries were already grappling with a learning crisis given that students were not learning enough,” said ADB Education Sector Group chief Brajesh Panth.

“The pandemic has exacerbated inequities and widened learning gaps. To turn the crisis into an opportunity, we must find new ways of supporting managers, teachers, and parents. We must improve planning, coordination, and partnerships – ensuring quality and resilient education systems and learning for all.”

Last week, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said improving the delivery of education and upskilling the workforce would be among the country’s priorities in human development in the next two years under the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

Other than these, the updated PDP, which will be launched next month, will also identify reforms and strategies that will accelerate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The series of natural disasters on top of the new coronavirus pandemic that occurred last year may reverse years of gains in poverty reduction and human development.