Written by: Abdulrasaq Amolegbe
Visual by: Erica Nido
Decreasing enrollment, malnourished learners, funding constraints, and classroom congestion are immediate concerns to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Eastern Visayas region. In addition to these obstacles is the shortage of teachers in the region - one whose effects are better imagined than experienced. Education is a powerful weapon that can change the world. But to control and direct the modus operandi of such weapons, teachers remain inevitable.
A clog in the wheel of teachers' enrollment in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) is the draconian policies that are often instituted by policymakers, most of whom have never visited a classroom in their lifetime. The 'Blended Learning' policy, contributes to the low turnout rate of teachers. While teachers are not against the lockdown guidelines, there are many reservations over the blended or distance learning approach which is being prepared by the Department of Education (DepEd). While the glorified policy was aimed at fostering teacher-student relationships from home, it is on the verge of achieving just the opposite. Inadequate timing and lack of internet access and broadcast tools would be the contributing factors to low teacher enrollment.
Between 2003 and 2013, a study on the learning outcomes of public schools in the Philippines showed the outstanding performance of students in the Eastern Visayas region. Students from the two islands of Samar and Leyte often performed extraordinarily better than the rest of the country on the National Achievement Test. Despite being the second poorest after the conflict-ridden Mindanao, Eastern Visayas has managed to produce students with intellectual dexterity. It is therefore reasonable to presume that these widely celebrated achievements are produced by teachers in the area.
Recent National Assessment Test results, however, have indicated that test scores are decreasing in the country. Not only did the effects of low teacher turnout affect learning outcomes in Eastern Visayas -the high performing region- but also, the country of Philippines is having to get back on her feet after low test performances across the nation.
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that over one million students (83% of learners) in Eastern Visayas have signed up for the academic year 2020 to 2021, the highest enrollment rate among 17 regions nationwide. From June 1 to July 15, 2020, at least 1,087,074 students have been enrolled, representing 83 percent of the 1,312,447 actual learners registered in the last school year. From the data above, what is needed is a corresponding increase in teachers' enrollment. But it is rather unfortunate that what has come to play is a shortage of teachers.
In the case of a shortage of teachers, the inevitable effect is that there will be unqualified and uncertified teachers. As a go-to response to the shortage of teachers, governing institutions are likely to lower the qualifications for teachers' enrollment. Thus, giving opportunity for a breed of teachers with lower qualifications.
With every second teachers do not spend in the class, a great disservice is being done to students. In fact, it should come as no surprise that low teachers' turnout often affects students' achievement.
What is, however, hidden and unrecognized is the effect of the shortage of teachers, not on the students only but, on the teachers left in the system. The explanation for this is in the increased burden placed on the remaining teachers.
Overworked and underpaid, with less time to spend with students due to the increased burden. Combined this creates an atmosphere where teachers struggle to manage their time, finances, and effectiveness at work contributing to burnout among teachers. Among other latent negative effects of a shortage of teachers. These impacts are seen in the ability of teachers to teach well, which eventually influences students' achievements.
While students from the Eastern Visayas were at a time known for high performances on the National Assessment Test, it is imperative that critical measures consisting of high incentivization policies and better reforms be put in place to prevent scores from slipping. This is important if the prestigious Region VIII is to rekindle its slowly diminishing scores.
Works Cited:
Acdedios. “Eastern Visayas: A Rare Gem in Philippine Basic Education.” Eastern Visayas: A Rare Gem In, Blogger, 12 Nov. 2013, www.philippinesbasiceducation.us/2013/11/eastern-visayas-rare-gem-in-philippine.html?m=1.
Meniano, Sarwell. “Eastern Visayas Tops in Nationwide Enrollment.” Philippine News Agency RSS, Philippine News Agency, 16 July 2020, www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1109136.
Excerpt: How the shortage of teachers in Eastern Visayas affects the quality of education students receive. While also examining the effects on test scores and the effectiveness of teachers in the future with distance learning in practice. Written by: Abdulrasaq A.; visual by: Erica N.
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