Press Release
July 27, 2007

LOREN CALLS FOR RELEVANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

BACOLOD CITY - Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday urged the government to focus on "viable and relevant education programs" to make effective use of the P150 billion proposed for appreciation in the 2008 national budget.

Speaking before members of the Negros Occidental Teachers Federation here on Friday (July 27), Legarda said that the proposed P150 billion budget for education would not make a difference unless spent wisely for programs "that really matter."

"For the basic education sector the central thrust should be Back to the Basics," said Loren. This means building enough classrooms, with science laboratories and well equipped libraries, as well as dedicated teachers who are well-motivated by higher compensation and perks.

She also advocated the establishment of 'smart classrooms" that are wired with computer and Internet connections. "National realities and global imperatives have practically spelled out for us the thrust and direction of our educational programs, she averred.

"This is to provide generic adequacy to students in the fields of science, math, reading and writing which should be the basic objectives of the schools, along with course in civics and culture," she stated.

"We should train scientists and engineers, from nuclear physicists to hard-core workers in the ICT (Information Communications Technology) fields," Loren stressed. "We should train the best accountants and finance men and the best industrial designers. Our universities should be enclaves of research and development, the spawning ground o both technical innovation and ideas that are globally competitive."

Loren revealed that she has filed a bill seeking to create an ICT Department to make the Philippines at par with other Asian countries, like India. "Those not qualified to enter these fields should learn technical skills and manufacturing and services sector needs, from world class welders to world bartenders and butchers and those working in the field of animal husbandry."

Loren said that superior skills would vest Filipino workers with a "competitive edge" either in the domestic or global job markets. "The contribution of our highly-skilled and highly-competitive human capital should be a sizeable portion of our GDP. Only a competitive educational system can lay the foundation for this."

Loren also revealed that she is filing a bill that would give a fair and just compensation package to teachers enough to give them decent lives. "We cannot overstate the need to increase the pay of teachers, give them the full dignity and pride due to the teaching profession and allow them to fully bloom in the profession."

"Teachers should be beneficiaries of year-round training and retraining," declared Loren. "In many developed economies, training and retraining of skilled workers and professionals is called the strategic new frontier in maintaining competitiveness."

According to Loren, Filipinos "are among the most talented people, who are also creative, innovative, intense and dedicated workers. And what is required to harness these qualities is to imply a modern, vibrant and adequately prepared educational system."

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