Education Crisis in the Philippines: Understanding the Challenges and Contributing

Factors

Education is a fundamental right that empowers individuals, fosters economic growth, and

promotes social development. However, experts emphasized the ongoing presence of an

education crisis in the Philippines, urging officials to address the issues promptly and effectively

(Jekki Pascual, 2022). In the article of Dr. Pernia (2022) titled, “Addressing the Philippine

Education Crisis”. He highlighted a concerning statistic from a World Bank report, stating that

91% of 10-year-old children in the Philippines struggle to read and comprehend a simple text,

and that means that Filipino children are not prepared to move up to the next grade level, like

grade 10. This places the Philippines in a disadvantageous position compared to other East Asian

countries renowned for their high-quality basic education. In terms of "learning poverty," the

Philippines ranks at the bottom among 10 Asian countries, with Singapore leading the pack,

followed by South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India.

In Mong Palatino's article in 2023, He highlighted that Sara Duterte expressed concerns about

Filipino students' low academic skills. Duterte specifically mentioned the lack of proper school

buildings and resources as the biggest problem in Philippine education. The government's recent

count shows that out of 327,851 school buildings, only 104,536 are considered to be in good

condition. The rest of the buildings need different levels of repair, with many needing significant

or even complete fixing. These findings show that urgent improvements are needed in school

buildings to create a better environment for teaching and learning.

Moreover, according to Marielle Filoteo (2021), studies have found that when governments

spend less money on each student, there are fewer teachers in schools. This has been a persistent

issue in public schools in the Philippines, as they have been trying to reduce the number of
students in each class. As a result, there is an unequal balance of teachers and students, a scarcity

of classrooms, and large class sizes that have always been problematic in the education system.

When there aren't enough teachers, there is less interaction with students and less time for

learning. These things have negative results because there have been many cases where students

show little interest in their studies.

We have reached a point where it is high time for us to recognize and accept the reality of the

education crisis. It is crucial for us to finally acknowledge that the crisis in education is real and

cannot be ignored any longer, as stated by Marielle Filoteo in 2021. Filoteo highlighted what Dr.

Chito Salazar said, which is that education often gets left behind when there are other big

problems that people think are more important. Because of this, the changes and improvements

that education needs don't happen right away. Dr. Salazar also mentioned that the good effects of

making big changes in education might not happen for a long time, maybe even 30 years later.

This shows how important it is to take action now and not wait any longer. If we keep putting off

fixing the problems in education, they will keep getting pushed into the future. It's really

important to make education a priority now so that we don't keep ignoring it and so that the

future can be better for everyone.

The Significance of Education

Education serves as the foundation for the growth of individuals, their communities, and the

entire nation. A promising future for the world is unattainable without an educated populace and

a culture that values education. Knowledge is a powerful instrument for comprehending societal

rights and responsibilities, both locally and nationally (Noor Fatima, 2022).
 Furthermore, as mentioned in Prassana's article (2023), it was emphasized that education is a

right for everyone, as stated in the Article XIV, Section 1, of the 1987 Constitution. It helps

individuals actively participate in society. We can understand how important education is by

considering the life of someone who hasn't had the opportunity to attend school. They face many

challenges because they can't read or write. Education is important because it brings positive

changes to a person's life. Not being able to read or write presents a significant problem as it

requires dependence on others for everything. Education provides the tools to be self-reliant and

explore the world confidently. When people are educated, they can contribute to building

stronger communities, and when communities are strong, it contributes to the development of a

great nation.

The quote by Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to

change the world.” was highlighted by Sharma in 2023 and explained by stating that education

has the potential to address issues such as corruption, unemployment, and environmental

concerns. It goes beyond obtaining a degree and focuses on equipping individuals with the

necessary tools to be self-sufficient and independent.

Influential Aspects that Impact Academic Performance

According to Narad and Abdullah's study from 2016, academic performance is defined as the

process of gaining knowledge, which is assessed by teachers through assigned marks or by

meeting specific educational goals within a certain time. The researchers emphasized that these

goals are usually evaluated through continuous assessments or exam results. Academic

performance includes the learning outcomes and achievements that show how well students
understand and progress in their education. It helps evaluate teaching methods, curriculum

design, and the overall education system. By measuring and tracking academic performance,

teachers and schools can identify areas that need improvement, personalize instruction to meet

individual needs, and offer support to students throughout their education.

In addition, there are several factors, both within and outside the school environment, that

play a role in determining the quality of students' academic performance. These factors include

parenting style, student characteristics, the level of internet effectiveness, teachers' effectiveness,

lack of motivation, and students' career choices. All of these elements have an impact on how

well students perform academically. (Briones et.al., 2022). The following are some factors that

can affect students’ academic performances:

A. Time Management

Rytkönen et.al. (2011) found that problems with time management were reported as

hindrances to students' studies. Time management difficulties can include challenges in

prioritizing tasks, managing study time effectively, or balancing academic responsibilities with

other commitments. Students who faced such time management.

B. Learning Environment

Singh et.al. (2016) Said that the availability and quality of learning facilities, such as libraries,

laboratories, and technological resources, were found to have a positive influence on student

academic performance. Access to well-equipped learning environments can enhance students'

ability to engage in effective learning and improve their academic outcomes. A similar outcome

in a study conducted by Yeshimebrat et.al. in 2013 tells that they also found that the availability

and accessibility of educational resources, such as textbooks, libraries, computer labs, and study

materials, were identified as important factors.

C. Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Parent Academic Background

Farooq et.al. (2011) revealed that socioeconomic status, as well as parents' education, had a

significant effect on student’s overall academic achievement. Students from higher and average

socioeconomic levels performed better academically. They also add that parents' education had a

stronger influence on their children's academic performance than their occupation. They suggest

that parents’ educational background plays a crucial role in shaping their children's academic

success. A similar study conducted by Obeta (2014) stated that the socioeconomic status of the

student's family was identified as another factor that impacts academic performance. Students

from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face challenges related to limited resources,

educational opportunities, or support systems, which can affect their academic outcomes.

Suggests that the support and resources provided by parents from higher socioeconomic

backgrounds contribute to the development of skills necessary for academic success.

D. Parental Involvement

Research done by Wang and Khalil in 2013, found that when parents are actively involved in

their children's education, it positively impacts their academic success. Students whose parents

are highly engaged tend to achieve better academically. In particular, when parents actively

support their children's learning, it leads to improved academic performance. A study by Obeta
also suggested that parents, despite being busy, should prioritize spending time with their

children, reviewing their schoolwork, and providing guidance when needed. Parental

involvement creates a nurturing environment that supports students' learning.

E. Family Stress

As per Mushtaq and Khan (2012), family issues like money problems, conflicts, or personal

challenges can harm how well students do in school. However, a loving and helpful family

atmosphere can lead to better academic results. Likewise, Kernan et.al (2011) found that

graduate students achieve more academically when they have fewer health problems. They

noticed that stress can make students take fewer college credits, but its effect on the Grade Point

Average (GPA) is not very strong.

In synthesis, the researchers have ascertained that the education crisis in the Philippines

demands an immediate solution. several primary factors contribute to the education crisis.

Firstly, inadequate school infrastructure and limited resources hinder the efficient provision of

education. Secondly, a lack of sufficient funding has resulted in a shortage of teachers and

overcrowded classrooms, compromising the quality of teaching. Lastly, Education often becomes

a secondary priority compared to more pressing matters, resulting in its neglect and a lack of

sufficient attention, and not enough resources are provided to support education.

Academic performance is a measure of how well a student has acquired knowledge and skills

and achieved the educational objectives set within a given timeframe. It encompasses the

student's ability to comprehend and apply the concepts taught, demonstrate competence in

various subject areas, and make progress in their learning journey. Many researchers used
academic performance to determine the factors that affect the student's academic performance.

They found several factors that affect the academic performance of the student. Firstly, time

management: Problems with time management can hinder students' studies, including challenges

in prioritizing tasks, managing study time effectively, and balancing academic responsibilities

with other commitments. Secondly, the Learning Environment: The availability and quality of

learning facilities, such as libraries, laboratories, and technological resources, have a positive

influence on student academic performance. Access to well-equipped learning environments

enhances students' ability to engage in effective learning and improve their academic outcomes.

Thirdly, Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Parent Academic Background: Socioeconomic status

and parents' education significantly affect students' overall academic achievement. Students from

higher and average socioeconomic levels tend to perform better academically. Parents'

educational background plays a crucial role in shaping their children's academic success.

Fourthly, Parental Involvement: Parental involvement, particularly in academics, significantly

affects student achievement. Highly involved parents contribute to higher academic performance.

Spending time with children, reviewing their academic work, and providing guidance are

recommended forms of parental involvement. Lastly, Family Stress: Family stress, including

financial difficulties, conflicts, and personal challenges, can negatively impact students'

academic performance. A supportive and nurturing family environment is conducive to better

academic outcomes. Additionally, reducing obstacles related to students' health can improve their

academic success.

The researchers determined that rapid remedial action is needed to address the Philippine

education crisis. Despite the crisis of education increasing and continuing growth, this problem
has been neglected often by the authorities because they contend that there are bigger problems

that require fundamental action. Due to this, the problem remained unresolved.

In choosing academic programs that will allow students to grow, it is necessary to

acknowledge the best areas that need to be improved upon and set up a program. It is also vital to

attend to a learner's learning abilities to create a plan, modify a teaching strategy, and assess

students in accordance with their learning pace.

In connection, the program aims to expand and enhance the academic crisis while enabling

students to acquire information and skills and complete the assigned learning objectives within a

certain time limit. Learners will be facilitated to develop their abilities to comprehend the ideas

presented. Thus, it includes the student's capacity to understand and apply the principles taught,

exhibit proficiency in a variety of subject areas, and advance in their academic journey.

Moreover, giving students wider access to suitable learning facilities enhances their ability to

engage in efficient learning and supports their academic performance. Providing a healthy

learning environment for students could minimize stress, increase their confidence in pursuing

their education, and enhance their health, all of which could contribute to their success and

capacity to learn. It requires both resources and time to cater to the prerequisites and abilities of a

student and help them enhance their ability to develop skills and obtain a deeper comprehension

of ideas and education.

The proponent believes that fundamental improvements are necessary to overcome the current

educational problem. Although nothing has been developed that completely resolves the issue,

attempts to establish programs are currently significant endeavors to provide a constructive

solution to significant issues with regard to the education crisis.

 In relation to the present study, the researcher acknowledges the

significance of examining the factors that impact how well Grade 10 students

perform academically at Judge Feliciano Belmonte Senior High School. Doing

well in school holds great importance as it can have a substantial influence

on a student's future prospects. To enhance educational outcomes, It’s really

important to know the things that help or make it hard for students to do

well in school.
 To gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing

students' performance, a variety of methods will be employed. The

researcher will conduct a survey using questionnaires, observe both students

and teachers in the classroom, and analyze the information provided on

report cards. Through these approaches, the aim is to gather valuable

insights into the elements that contribute to student's academic

achievements or difficulties.

By surveying the students, the researcher will gather information about

their personal characteristics, study habits, time management skills, level of

motivation, and any other factors that can affect their academic

performance. These aspects have a significant impact on how well students

perform in school. It is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the unique

circumstances of each student at Judge Feliciano Belmonte Senior High

School.

Classroom observations are also an essential component of this study.

They allow the researcher to witness the teaching methods employed by

teachers and the interactions between students and teachers. This

observation can reveal factors that either support or hinder students'

learning. Sometimes, such information is challenging to obtain through

questionnaires alone, which is why classroom observations are included.

 Furthermore, analyzing report cards will provide quantitative data

regarding grades, attendance, and disciplinary issues. This data can unveil

patterns or trends that affect students' academic performance. The

researcher can utilize the information on the report cards as indicators of

students' academic achievements. For example, if students miss a lot of

classes or have trouble following the rules, it might make it harder for them

to do well in the classroom.

By employing these comprehensive methods, the study aims to gain a

deeper understanding of the factors that influence how well Grade 10

students perform academically at Judge Feliciano Belmonte Senior High

School. The insights derived from this research will be valuable for teachers,

administrators, and other stakeholders who are invested in improving

students' educational experiences. It will enable them to develop targeted

strategies and interventions to support student's success in school.