When leaders neglect education: Failon’s news commentary presents pattern of failures

CHEERS TO the news commentary “Think About It” by Ted Failon that pointed to systemic corruption and the failure of leadership as primary causes of the learning crisis confronting the Philippines.  

Journalists who covered the opening of classes last June 16 visited schools and reported the usual problems of shortage in classrooms, chairs, books and other teaching materials. Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Standard both headlined the challenges, emphasizing their persistence.

In the same week, media reported the statement of Akihiro Fushimi, chief of Education at UNICEF, that there was already a “real and widespread learning crisis” in the Philippines even before the pandemic hit. Fushimi issued the statement in a press conference on June 18, in which he also presented a UNICEF study pointing to learning gaps.

Going beyond the observations and statements recorded by other media, Failon’s 15-minute segment discussed the root cause of the crisis, an aspect of the problem that is rarely presented in the news. Failon looked at the infrastructure gaps and lapses in program implementation during the previous and present administrations, highlighting the failure to address in a consistent and continuing manner the massive failure of public education. Failon emphasized, “There is a learning crisis because there is a leadership crisis.”

Failon did not let the current president off the hook; pointing out that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed dismay over the state of education, he has not held himself to account, having appointed Sara Duterte to head the Department of Education (DepEd) despite her lack of experience and interest in issues of public education. 

Pointing to root causes 

Failon said Marcos has been president for three years, so he could not be without fault for the neglect of this public crisis. Using reports by the Commission on Audit (COA), the Second Congressional Education Commission (Edcom) and other official documents, Failon presented patterns and evidence of official incompetence in the management of the education.

During Marcos’ term so far, Failon cited the low rate of progress in building educational infrastructure as less than four percent of the target numbers for classroom construction was achieved as of 2023. 

Failon also called attention to the appointments made by Marcos himself to head education and public works, the two agencies that oversee and implement classroom construction. When the secretaries of the DepEd and the Department of Public Works could not agree on the costs to invest, the president did not force the issue and ask the two officials to address the need with urgency. 

Citing COA, Failon said DepEd during Duterte’s term reported paying PHP211.2 million for the mobilization fees of contractors for the Last Mile School program. But the program remains incomplete and has already incurred a 555-day delay as of end-2023, an alarming backlog that indicates lack of attention and action. Worse, DepEd admitted to difficulties in getting updates from the contractors.

Failon’s news commentary called attention to the collective failure in addressing the roots of the crisis in education, reflecting on the lack of leadership. His presentation emphasized the need for the chief executive to fully understand the depth and persistence of the problem, saying that the president can take steps to close the learning gaps during his term of office, laying out a plan of action that can be pursued by future administrations. 

More journalists should report on the issues of the education with a long-term perspective.  The record of cyclical failure includes news coverage. Journalism can retain a historical view as it keeps up with current issues. It is the only way to track the progress or lack of it from one administration to another.