Thursday, May 03, 2007 Oledan: Mindanao agenda By Radzini Oledan
POVERTY is replicated from one generation to another.
In Mindanao, the widening disparity in performance across regions and population groups indicate that inequity in education remains a serious concern.
The worst part is that the quality of education and its output have deteriorated to such an alarming level that performance of children in Mindanao ranks poorest compared to other parts of the country.
While there is considerable improvement, even rapid expansion of school buildings, the system apparently proceeded without ensuring the minimum requirements for delivering quality education.
Efficiency and quality have been unduly sacrificed if only to fulfill the constitutional mandate of free and universal education at the primary and secondary levels.
Despite the extensive school system, it has not been able to accommodate everyone to enroll and complete basic education. Less than 50 percent of children are able to attend preschool, thus depriving many of early childhood education.
Of every 100 students who enroll in grade 1, only 67 reach grade VI and 48 eventually reach 4th year high school.
This indicates a high fall-out rate, with a significant percentage of students dropping out between grades 2 and 4 even before functional literacy is achieved. Studies revealed that those who dropped out or never attended school came from poor families whose parents have had little or no schooling.
The dismal performance of the education sector is made worst by the large disparity in access to and quality of educational services across regions and across population groups.
Generally, the poorest areas and the poorest income groups have the least access to the country's public school system, thus, perpetuating even more the cycle of poverty and social inequity.
By geographical division, Mindanao has the least access to education and the lowest quality performance. Within the area, the poorest regions like ARMM and Western Mindanao consistently scored lowest in most education-related indicators.
For the significant segment of the population, education is the most important variable influencing earning capacity. Yet children of poor families receive little education and, thus, deprived of the very means to improve their livelihood.
This is the primary agenda in Mindanao which should be pursued by the community and elected officials. Putting someone in power should be based on a clear electoral platform for education and bias for children and women in Mindanao.
Reelectionist public officials should have a continuing advocacy for adequate share of the education budget. Resources for education allocated for Mindanao regions and provinces are grossly inadequate based on population size and need.
