The Cost of Education

 It's back-to-school time in the US, and this front page item in the August 12 issue of "The Repository" of Canton, Ohio was just one of several that showed us how much it costs to send American children to the middle and high schools.

The American school system has 12 years of pre-college education.

There's now a growing government advocacy--and a strong opposition, as well--to have the Philippine system add two additional years to come up to par with the international 12-year standard. 

The Pinoy on the street thinks the added years means more strain on the already thin household maintenance budget esp. of big families.

The official thought is to have students already be employable upon graduation from high school.  As it is now, the high school curriculum is college-preparatory in orientation.  Even the token replacement subjects of what used to be "industrial arts" do not guarantee employable skills.

This brings to mind that in the early years of the American public school system adapted to Philippine conditions, the first task of the curriculum was to fill the need for teachers.  Hence, the initial thrust was to have students be equipped with the knowledge and skills of an effective English teacher upon finishing Grade 4.  The next three years were oriented to usable/employable "courses", "domestic sciences" for the girls.  The aim was to have the Grade 7 graduates part of the skilled labor for nation building.

Public schooling in the early years was free.  We know that only a few could go to the fledgling private school system.

Despite the oft-repeated announcement of the Department of Education that contributions are not allowed in the public schools today, Philippine education is not absolutely free.  Students no longer walk to school, and go home for the lunch break. What more if the school is not in the neighborhood?