Students’ performance in science, math improving

MANILA, Philippines — Students’ performance in science and mathematics are improving following the implementation of the senior high school program, according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

Science Secretary Fortunato De La Peña made the assessment during a recent Cabinet meeting with President Duterte, Briones said.

“The Department of Science and Technology reported the very high improvement in performance in tests in science and math… (and he said) it is due to the senior high school program,” Briones said in a press conference last Monday.

“We did not solicit that report; he made that report,” she added, referring to the DOST chief.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said they have requested the Senate to allow them to present their programs to improve the quality of education in the country.

Earlier this month, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called for a review of the K-12 program, citing declining performance of students based on the National Achievement Test scores.

“As early as last year, the secretary in her presentations have already been emphasizing the shift of the DepEd’s focus from access to quality… The interventions on access to education really require much more nuanced interventions and not generalized access,” Malaluan said.

“The programs of the department are going to be geared in the next years toward upgrading in a decisive way the education quality, and we will be presenting these programs to the senate committee or sub-committee,” he added.

They are still waiting for the Senate’s response to their request for schedule to present on the matter, according to Malaluan.