Celebrities and personalities do not feel that the Department of Education (DepED) deserves a public apology from World Bank after its ‘insulting’ report.
On July 5, DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones demanded an apology from the Washington-based lender, claiming that its report was based on data that were “outdated”.
“Since the country was insulted, was shamed, and so on, we expect and look forward to a public apology,” said Briones, “Lalong-lalo na ‘yung hindi pagsabi sa ’min na naglabas sila ng ganoong datos na lumang-luma.”
But over on Twitter, several personalities and celebrities insisted that the poor ranking was DepEd’s incompetence.
Deo Enalpe, the executive director of Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition (SKC) pointed that Briones should take note of the criticism and make improvements rather than seek an apology.
To DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones:
Ma'am instead of feeling humilated and shamed re the education report of World Bank – why not evaluate and look closely so correction and improvement be made.
Ang problema po 'di kayo marunong tumanggap ng criticism. pic.twitter.com/B0mOuM2cA3
— Deo Enalpe (@deoenalpe_phl) July 5, 2021
Writer Jerry B. Grácio even ridiculed the DepEd’s desire to achieve high rankings to the point that the National Achievement Test was tampered with. NAT is an examination for grades 3, 6, 10, and 12 students–to determine their academic levels, strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge in subjects throughout the year.
Gusto lagi ng DepEd mataas ang ranking. Kaya dinudugas ng ibang Division Superintendents pati National Achievement Test.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) July 5, 2021
Former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño suggested that it was the government who should apologize for its failures.
Casiño even listed DepEd blunders such as the treatment for teachers, the problematic curriculum, and the teaching methods.
Maybe it’s the government that should apologize for its massive failures – from the shabby treatment of our teachers, the lack of even the most basic learning materials and facilities, to the problematic curriculum and teaching methods. Kayo dapat ang mag-sorry at magbago. https://t.co/dNQiaLslBv
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) July 5, 2021
Though Casiño did not mention it, DepEd got involved in numerous mistakes during this pandemic.
In October 2020, over 155 errors were discovered on the learning modules of students. Some were grammar errors, promoting stereotyping, body shaming, and more.
As a result of these errors, TV personality Kiko Rustia stressed that Briones should not aim for a higher ranking from World Bank since its modules were full of mistakes, with instances that involved politicking and outright rudeness.
Modules nyo palpak, puno ng politikahan at kabastusan, tapos expected nyo mataas ranking natin?
Mawalang galang na po sa edad nyo ma'am pero kalokohan po pinagsasabi nyo.
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) July 5, 2021
Former PBB housemate Justin Dizon noted that Briones was offended because it was the truth—the education system in the Philippines is worse.
Dizon also pointed how officials such as the DepEd secretary are allergic to criticisms and do not want feedback.
Masakit kase totoo?
Bakit ba sobrang allergic niyo sa criticisms at feedback? Kaya hindi tayo umuusad eh. https://t.co/PIbn3UGJTw
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) July 5, 2021
A twitter personality even said that Filipinos must feel insulted and ashamed because of how the current Administration handled the country.
Lahat na lang ba na nasa admin na to walang gustong tumanggap ng batikos? Una “irritated” si Duque, tapos ngayon “insulted” qnd “ashamed” ‘tong si Briones?
Hindi man ba nila naisip na tayong mga Pilipino, irrigated, felt insulted at ashamed na rin sa kanila? https://t.co/rCv7HLBF6X pic.twitter.com/dZmlQjHJnd
— Elyas (@juanelyas) July 5, 2021
Singer-theater performer Bituin Escalante even described the current government officials as “onion-skinned.”
Balat sibuyas lahat ng nasa pamahalaang Ito. Hindi marunong tumanggap ng batikos.
— bituin escalante (@gobituin) July 5, 2021
Kristoffer Pasion had a message to Briones as she sought an apology from World Bank: “Hindi po mundo ang mag-aadjust sa inyo.”
Passion explained that the DepEd Secretary is turning a blind eye while her teachers are struggling to provide quality education to Filipino students.
Sa akin lang naman po, sobrang kaawa-awa ang ating kaguruan, Sec. Briones. Pero kung kayo po ay nagbubulagbulagan pa rin, hindi po mundo ang mag-aadjust sa inyo. https://t.co/AM3tjUGcwN
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) July 5, 2021
Meanwhile, Ica Fernandez, a journalist, emphasized that the report done by World Bank was not for her, but the agency that she is leading.
Ma’am, it’s not about you. https://t.co/ml6WWxrpgx
— MC Fernandez (@icafernandez) July 5, 2021
In World Bank’s report said that around 80 percent of Filipino students failed to meet the expected standards of the particular grade levels– they enrolled in.
A reason for their poor academic performance other than the heightened bullying inside schools, most of the students failed to reach the standards–the report also blamed the students’ ‘limited’ proficiency in languages.
Through siphoning information from the Program for International Student Assessment, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics–it was how the World Bank compared the Philippines with other countries.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country–the World Bank pointed that the Philippine education system is already in a “crisis.”
