What makes quality education

November 11, 2017 Educator's Corner Opinion

Quality Education is one of the key thrusts of the Department of Education today and quality education in our country is most often measured through the National Achievement Test (NAT). It is an examination given annually in March to assess the competency in core subject areas like Math, English, Science Filipino and HEKASI. It is administered every year to grade six, ten and twelve to measure the academic performance in key subject areas of elementary and secondary schools in both public and private schools. But do these results and rankings still relate to what really matters today and tomorrow?
At first glance, do correlations between high NAT rankings and variables such as sustaining the country’s Gross Development Goals really connect? Are these indicators easy enough to draw up? But if we agree that the success of country’s economy is not based on merely the learners ability to read, write and do math, but the real value of quality education is to prepare children to reach their full potential and enter society as complete and productive citizens and most importantly gain attitudes and values that will serve as their guiding principle that influences their action and wellbeing; a behavior that creates in them an atmosphere in which they are in control and confident about their ability to succeed in dealing with all aspect of life.
There are some who argue that the threshold of quality education is met by focusing only on literacy and numeracy but education is not simply a content delivery system. Rather, it is high, clear and consistent that education is designed to help all learners to become confident, willing to strive forward, have good self-esteem, whose values and competencies enable them to reach their full potential and enter society as productive and responsible citizens.
In conclusion, quality education should not be focused on result of any examination or assessment but it should center on shaping the learners confidently, equipping learners by giving them the ability to solve real life situation and problems. It is molding the children holistically to provide them the best opportunity for long term success in all aspects of life.

By: LESLEE CHOMAWIN, Doña Aurora Elementary School