Greater Heights: The Potential of the Philippine Education System

Education has the power to transform generations and drive societal advancement. It is undoubtedly a vital element in shaping a country's future. As society progresses, modern education and technology become essential for further prosperity, benefiting both the nation and individuals. Despite a major overhaul 12 years ago, the Philippine Education System still struggles to meet the needs of its students. Traditional teaching methods, focused on lectures and assignments, often condition students to merely follow directions, limiting their ability to think creatively and critically. This calls for a holistic reform of the education system, incorporating differentiation, passion-based learning, and life skills into the curriculum.

Differentiation is one of the most effective learning strategies. According to Tomlinson (2000), it involves tailoring instruction to develop each student's skills and meet their individual needs. This approach requires educators to differentiate four elements: content, process, products, and learning environments. By doing so, teachers can implement activities appropriate for the students' levels, including yearly assessments, feedback, and group work (Main, 2022). A flipped classroom, as suggested by Main, provides students with essential knowledge before class, allowing class time to be used for activities that apply the information instead of traditional lectures (Bok Center, n.d.). This helps students access various resources and prioritize class activities that further nurture their skills. In fostering a flexible learning plan, teachers can create an engaging environment where students can thrive, inspiring motivation and building a supportive community.

Passion-based learning paves the way for acquiring knowledge applicable to real life. According to McNair, it exercises students' creativity while utilizing the information learned. Unlike the traditional setting where Filipino students complete worksheets during class, passion-based learning includes activities that capture their interest. McNair recommends Genius Hour, where students choose a situation or problem they want to change and propose solutions. This approach requires them to integrate real-life concepts and creativity into their solutions, helping them understand the relevance to the real world.

The Philippine Education System lacks teaching life skills that will help students once they become adults. According to Keller & Kirschhoff (2021), strengthening these skills empowers students in their daily lives. These skills include communication and interpersonal skills, decision-making and critical thinking, and coping and management skills. Unfortunately, there have been multiple instances where Filipinos have lost their lives due to disputes over money and debts (GMA, 2017; GMA, 2018). This underscores the need for financial literacy as a life skill taught in Philippine schools. Educating students on proper budgeting and adequate spending habits will benefit both them and the economy.

Overall, the Philippine Education System can better prepare students for adulthood by improving engagement through differentiation, passion-based learning, and life skills education. Proper education will equip students with the motivation, skills, and knowledge to achieve greater heights, contributing to the positive development of the future. By supporting schools, teachers, and students, we can successfully tackle the challenges of the modern world. As Filipinos, we should advocate for everyone to have access to quality education. The future of our country awaits us, so let us shape the tomorrow we want to see.

References:
Differentiation strategies: A teacher's guide. (2025, October 21). Metacognition Resources for Teachers | Structural Learning. https://www.structural-learning.com/post/differentiation-strategies-a-teachers-guide

What is differentiated instruction? (n.d.). Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/differentiated-instruction/articles/what-differentiated-instruction

Flipped classrooms. (n.d.). Derek Bok Center, Harvard University | The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/flipped-classrooms

Passion based learning. (2023, February 19). Association of Educational Service Agencies | AESA. https://www.aesa.us/2018/08/17/passion-based-learning/

Kirchhoff, E., & Keller, R. (2021). Age-specific life skills education in school: A systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.660878

BP: Lalaki, patay sa pamamaril; suspek ang kainuman na nakaaway niya dahil sa P150 na utang [Video]. (2018, February 27). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elk1b_D5kWg&rco=1

TV patrol: Lalaki, pinatay nang Hindi makabayad Sa P100 utang [Video]. (2017, May 17). YouTube. https://youtu.be/acfXpSFSdh0