Non-math teachers handling math subjects? Group raises concerns on 'mismatch' | ABS-CBN
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Non-math teachers handling math subjects? Group raises concerns on 'mismatch'
Non-math teachers handling math subjects? Group raises concerns on 'mismatch'
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Students of Pinyahan Elementary School, supervised by their respective teachers, join the 'Catch-up Fridays' program by reading storybooks inside their classrooms on January 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Students of Pinyahan Elementary School, supervised by their respective teachers, join the 'Catch-up Fridays' program by reading storybooks inside their classrooms on January 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — Education groups raised concerns on so-called "teachers mismatch", wherein teachers handle a subject which is not their major field of study or expertise.
MANILA — Education groups raised concerns on so-called "teachers mismatch", wherein teachers handle a subject which is not their major field of study or expertise.
Vladimer Quetua, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said a number of factors could be affecting this situation, including the lack of budget and plantilla positions in public schools.
Vladimer Quetua, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said a number of factors could be affecting this situation, including the lack of budget and plantilla positions in public schools.
"Iyong isa naming Araling Panlipunan e nagtuturo ng TVL (Technical-Vocational-Livelihood). Iyong isa naming teacher e nagtuturo ng HE (Home Economics), nagtuturo ng mga hindi niya major. Masakit iyon kasi iyong major na apat na taon niyang pinaghirapan, training," he said during a hearing of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on Thursday.
"Iyong isa naming Araling Panlipunan e nagtuturo ng TVL (Technical-Vocational-Livelihood). Iyong isa naming teacher e nagtuturo ng HE (Home Economics), nagtuturo ng mga hindi niya major. Masakit iyon kasi iyong major na apat na taon niyang pinaghirapan, training," he said during a hearing of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on Thursday.
"Sa English - alam ng mga SDOs (Schools Division Offices) ito - na napakaraming pangangailangan pero dahil merong mga hinire na tingin nila ay pwede na, pinagtuturo," he added.
"Sa English - alam ng mga SDOs (Schools Division Offices) ito - na napakaraming pangangailangan pero dahil merong mga hinire na tingin nila ay pwede na, pinagtuturo," he added.
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ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, a former public school teacher, said effective teaching should be prioritized over merely complying to the needs of the curriculum and school.
ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, a former public school teacher, said effective teaching should be prioritized over merely complying to the needs of the curriculum and school.
"Halimbawa sa high school, siyempre may mga subject area iyan of specialization... Ang nangyayari kasi ngayon, kahit na hindi ka mathematics ay ina-assign din minsan. So nagkakaroon tayo ng problema," she said.
"Halimbawa sa high school, siyempre may mga subject area iyan of specialization... Ang nangyayari kasi ngayon, kahit na hindi ka mathematics ay ina-assign din minsan. So nagkakaroon tayo ng problema," she said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) admitted that such cases actually happen on the ground due to lack of teachers specializing in a particular subject.
The Department of Education (DepEd) admitted that such cases actually happen on the ground due to lack of teachers specializing in a particular subject.
"May mga ganoon po cases... Wala po tayong enough na math teachers... or not enough from universities or not enough applied for positions in DepEd," Education Undersecretary Gina Gonong said.
"May mga ganoon po cases... Wala po tayong enough na math teachers... or not enough from universities or not enough applied for positions in DepEd," Education Undersecretary Gina Gonong said.
ADDRESSING 'TEACHER MISMATCH'
Based on its study, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that "62 percent of high school teachers in the Philippines are teaching subjects outside their college specializations".
Based on its study, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that "62 percent of high school teachers in the Philippines are teaching subjects outside their college specializations".
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"More than half of science teachers do not have a background in the subject," the EDCOM 2 shared in a press release.
"More than half of science teachers do not have a background in the subject," the EDCOM 2 shared in a press release.
"The mismatch between teacher specialization and their assigned subjects has long been a concern. Despite efforts like the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Balik Scientist Program, which encourages math and science specialists to teach, many are assigned by DepEd to subjects outside their areas of expertise," it added.
"The mismatch between teacher specialization and their assigned subjects has long been a concern. Despite efforts like the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Balik Scientist Program, which encourages math and science specialists to teach, many are assigned by DepEd to subjects outside their areas of expertise," it added.
EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the findings are significant, as the country prepares its students for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the findings are significant, as the country prepares its students for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
"Iyong question din nga po namin is magfo-focus tayo on Science to prepare them for the PISA test that is focused on Science. But the data shows that about half of our Science teachers, in fact, did not major in Science in college. And in Physics, 98 percent did not have a background," he said.
"Iyong question din nga po namin is magfo-focus tayo on Science to prepare them for the PISA test that is focused on Science. But the data shows that about half of our Science teachers, in fact, did not major in Science in college. And in Physics, 98 percent did not have a background," he said.
Atty. Kristine Carmina Manaog, legal counsel of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), reported having similar problems in teacher recruitment among private schools.
Atty. Kristine Carmina Manaog, legal counsel of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), reported having similar problems in teacher recruitment among private schools.
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"Kami rin po, we have difficulty recruiting or finding teachers that will match our subjects din po, whether it's the general subjects or iyong mga specialized subjects or electives," she said.
"Kami rin po, we have difficulty recruiting or finding teachers that will match our subjects din po, whether it's the general subjects or iyong mga specialized subjects or electives," she said.
"I think it also comes po - for the private schools - an additional difficulty on our end, aside from looking for or recruiting the teachers, one of the problems that we encounter is once we find iyong mga teachers na ganito, they transition or migrate to the public school during the school year once there is a posting or a vacancy available... It affects po not just the school itself, but our learners, ultimately, kasi po nawawalan sila ng teachers in the middle of the school year," she added.
"I think it also comes po - for the private schools - an additional difficulty on our end, aside from looking for or recruiting the teachers, one of the problems that we encounter is once we find iyong mga teachers na ganito, they transition or migrate to the public school during the school year once there is a posting or a vacancy available... It affects po not just the school itself, but our learners, ultimately, kasi po nawawalan sila ng teachers in the middle of the school year," she added.
Pasig City Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, posed a number of solutions to address the issue.
Pasig City Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, chairperson of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, posed a number of solutions to address the issue.
"Para makatulong tayo sa kanila (private school teachers) is really iyong expansion ng voucher system. Kasi ngayon limitado iyan, walang Grades 1 to 6. Pero again, kulang ng classrooms, kailangan natin ng tulong na iyon," he told reporters at the sidelines of the hearing.
"Para makatulong tayo sa kanila (private school teachers) is really iyong expansion ng voucher system. Kasi ngayon limitado iyan, walang Grades 1 to 6. Pero again, kulang ng classrooms, kailangan natin ng tulong na iyon," he told reporters at the sidelines of the hearing.
"Para naman sa DepEd schools, sa totoo talaga, I guess pinakaimportante sa'kin is ma-decongest natin talaga iyong curriculum. Doon tayo sa basics talaga na pangangailangan," he added.
"Para naman sa DepEd schools, sa totoo talaga, I guess pinakaimportante sa'kin is ma-decongest natin talaga iyong curriculum. Doon tayo sa basics talaga na pangangailangan," he added.
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