The Importance of Education in Philippine Economy

Submitted by: Leanne Kym Jane Lozaes Abstract The study explains the significance of quality education to the employment of an individual and to the economy of the country. Several literature points out the poor quality of education in the public school system in the country. I argue that the national policy focuses on the quantity rather than giving emphasis on both the quantity and quality of education. The relevance of the human capital theory explains education as an important factor in producing a skilled-labor force which is the life-blood of the economy. Data acquired shows that the quality of public education system in the country is relatively low because of several factors pointed out by the respondents. Furthermore, it shows that most of the respondents regard education as an important factor in the future employment of the student. It is found that education is an important factor in the employment of an individual and it produces a skilled labor force (human capital) that is essential in building the economy. I concluded this paper that national policies should give more attention to the public school system in the country and that there should be guided transitions of individuals from school to the work. Introduction The study explains the significance of quality education to the employment of an individual and to the economy of the country. Modern economies and societies are known to be knowledge-based - the manufacture and marketing of information (Steele & Price, 2008) - plays a vital role in the development of the economy and society. A knowledge-based economy is that which has the capacity to create, share and use knowledge and skills and utilize the human assets for the purpose of improvement and the general well-being of the people (Kefela, 2010; UNESCO, 2005; UNDP, 2008). This manufacture and marketing of information is manifested through education. Education is seen as an institution, as a process, and as an investment (Arcelo & Sanyal, 1987; Meyer, 1977; Weisbrod, 1971). Its role is mainly for the preservation, exploration and

transmission of knowledge and preparation of the individuals to the world of work. Modern-day global economies prioritize the creation of well-educated workers. In the Philippine setting, it is evidently seen that the Filipino culture highly regards education as a key factor to employment. Investment in education, therefore, must lead to stable jobs and higher income. Not only does education contribute to the welfare of the individual, but it also contributes to the labor force of the economy. The more educated the labor force is, the greater is the chance of the economy to grow because of various ideas and innovations that this labor force could create and utilize. With this, I argue that quality education is an important factor in the employment of an individual in modern-day economies and societies. Studies conducted by the World Economic Forum (2011), the Philippines ranked 69 among 138 economies in the category: quality of educational system. One explanation that I can think of is that somehow, it seems that national policies focus more on quantity of education - raising the schooling levels of the population as seen in the Millenium Development Goal (Hanusshek & Woessman, 2007) instead of prioritizing the both the quantity and the quality of education. Several literature points out that there are factors that impede quality education in public school system in the country; and these are: academic inequality, lack of educational provisions, incompetence of teachers (Buendia, et al., 2011; Wallace, 2008; National Union of Students, 2010; Winkler, 2010). In explaining my argument, I used the human capital theory. Labor takes one form of capital - the human capital; thus, the human capital theory explains quality education as an important factor in producing a skilled-labor force (the human capital) which is the life-blood of the economy. While in school, the individual develops his/her skills which he/she can use in the work field. After school, it is believed that education produces a skilled individual who would then be a contribution to the labor force of the economy. In this sense, my paper aims to point out factors that impede quality education in public education system and why is education relevant to employment of an individual.

Methods I used several pieces of literature to explain the human capital theory, vis--vis, quality education. It is found that the human capital theory emphasizes that quality education is an important factor in producing a skilled-labor force (human capital) and prepares the individual for future employment (Arcelo & Sanyal, 1987; Meyer, 1977; Weisbrod, 1971). Furthermore, I employed a survey method which is more convenient in gathering data on relatively straight-forward, relatively uncomplicated facts, thoughts, feelings and behaviours (Nueman, 2003). My respondents were four (4) conveniently sampled public school teachers and three (3) purposively sampled grade six (6) students (6 sections in the level, half of the number of sections in the level should be represented). A mixed-method data analysis was employed - WEFT QDA for qualitative data and MS Excel for quantitative data. Results The following are the results of the study I conducted. Quantitative data is shown in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3. I formulated these questions based on pieces of literature that I read, namely: the World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report (2011), the National Union of Students Briefer/Discussion Guide on Education Situation (2010), Marissa Rosauro-Winklers A Study on Whether 12 years of Basic Education is Needed for the Philippine Education System (2010), Dr. Buendias The Philippine Education Sector Assessment Project (2011), and Peter Wallaces Where to the Philippines? (2008). Lastly, the questions formulated all boils down to the aims of this study. Table 1 Is quality education present in your school?

Ratings 0 (No answer) 1 (Yes) 2 (No) Total

Frequency 0 2 5 7

Percentage 0% 28.57% 71.43% 100%

*Adapted from Debbie Marizs format

In Table 1, it is shown that most of the respondents claimed that quality education is not present in their school. Five out of seven respondents said that quality education is not present, while two of the respondents said that quality education is present. Table 2 If no, why? Ratings 0 (No answer) 1 (Academic Inequality) 2 (Lack of Educational Provisions) 3 (Incompetence of Teachers) 4 (All of the above) 5 (Others) Total 3 0 7 42.86% 0% 100% 1 14.29% Frequency 2 0 1 Percentage 28.57% 0% 14.29%

*Adapted from Debbie Marizs format The next question is addressed to those who said no to the first question. The factors enumerated in Table 2 were taken from various pieces of literature. As presented, majority of the respondents said that all of the factors enumerated are factors that impede quality education in their school. Table 3: Is quality education important in the employment of an individual?

Ratings 0 (No answer) 1 (Yes) 2 (No) Total

Frequency 0 5 2 7

Percentage 0% 71.43% 28.57% 100%

*Adapted from Debbie Marizs format

The question in Table 3 highlights the importance of quality education in the employment of the individual. Majority of the respondents (5 out of 7) answered yes, quality education is important; while two (2 out of 7) of them answered no. The next part of this section would be for the analysis of qualitative data. Table 4: 1) Why did you say that this is the factor that impedes quality education in your school? 2) If yes, why do you think education is important in employment? Question/s Why did you say that this is the factor that impedes quality education in school? (Paano mo nasabi na ito ang mga dahilan kung bakit hindi mo nakikita ang quality education sa inyong paaralan? Theme No application of Lessons Lack of facilities RN 1 [60-147] Di maapply yung natutunan ng mga estudyante sa totoong buhay kasi kulang mga facilities RN 2 [250-302] and walang mga avenue for application ng mga lessons RN 1 [33-147] Lahat naeexperience Lack of educational provision namin. Di maapply yung natutunan ng mga estudyante sa totoong buhay kasi kulang mga facilities RN 2 [165-249] As you can see, kulang classrooms and books to accommodate 1000+ Response

students every year Incompetence of Teachers Lack of Passion RN 4 [12-138] Kasi merong mga guro na walang passion ba sa pagtuturo. Hindi nila gusto yung ginagawa nila kaya pangit ang performance nila. RN 2 [304-435] Tapos yung sa teachers naman, may mga hindi talaga education yung degree nila pero nandun kasi may kapit sa deped or sa government RN 2 [304-435] Lack of Credentials Tapos yung sa teachers naman, may mga hindi talaga education yung degree nila pero nandun kasi may kapit sa deped or sa government

Academic Inequality Palakasan system

RN 2 [62-163] Academic inequality is evident because may kultura kasi dito na ipapasa basta pakiusapan yung teacher

RN 2 [303-436] Tapos yung sa teachers naman, may mga hindi talaga education yung degree nila pero nandun kasi may kapit sa deped or sa government If yes, why do you think quality education is important to employment? (Kung sumagot ka n oo, sa tingin mo, bakit importante ang quality education sa pagtratrabaho?) Lead to good jobs RN 1 [162-218] Kasi pag nakatapos ka, mas magandang trabaho makukuha mo RN 2 [445-597] If you've finished college, there are more chances for you to be employed in a good job because ang hanap naman talaga nila "at least college graduate" RN 3 [33-134] Ang hanap ng mga employer ay college graduate. Pag mas mataas ang pinag-aralan, mas magandang trabaho

Nasa diskarte o kapit lang yan

RN 2 [598-682] pero nasa diskarte ng magaapply yan and kung may kakilala siya sa pag-aapplyan nya RN 4 [143-196] Nasa diskarte yan ng naghahanap ng trabaho, at kapit.

To help family

RN 5 [27-95] Makakatulong po ako sa pamilya ko. Kailangan ko po magaral ng mabute RN 7 [31-87] Para po makatulong ako kay nanay kailangan ko po magaral

Better life

RN 6 [33-55] Para gumanda ang buhay

*Adapted from Debbie Marizs format

Results There is a problem on the existing system of public education in the country. The lack of application of lessons is caused by lack of facilities and educational provisions; academic inequality is manifested through the palakasan system; and incompetence of teachers due to lack of credentials and lack of passion for teaching. These factors should

be eradicated, or if not, changed, so that the public educational system in the country would become better, and there would be more competent and quality individuals to be added in the labor force of the country; and also to fully utilize the human capital to achieve economic growth. Quality education is important to the employment of the individual because this shall serve as an avenue for a better job to help ones family and create a better life. Quality education backed up with diskarte and connections (also known as, social capital) would help one in finding a job. Going back to the human capital theory, if the public educational system in the country is changed for the better, more skilled individuals would dominate the labor force of the country, and the more skilled the labor force is, the greater is the edge of the economy to grow and be competitive. In a society that prioritizes the knowledge, it is important that its people become educated; not only for the economic benefit of the country, but also for the betterment of its people. Conclusion The quality of public education system in the country is caused by academic inequality, shortage of facilities and incompetence of teachers. Education is seen as an important factor in the employment of the individual. As the human capital theory states, education produces a skilled labor force (the human capital) which is the lifeblood of the economy.

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