Good grades v. true learning: The DepEd's "bridge program"

A recent random sampling of incoming freshmen under the HSRT saw 90 percent of the 48,000 samples failing to score 45 points in a 90-item test. Half of the sample got a raw score of 27 in the test, equivalent to only 30 percent. [Manila Times]

This legality of the “bridge program” of the Department of Education is now being questioned. But beyond the legality is a fundamental question that the DepEd has failed to address. Will one year of remedial study make up for what should have been learned over the past six years? It sounds to me like an institutionalization of cramming–that much maligned system of studying often resorted to to make the passing marks but with no real learning value.

I doubt that the “bridge program” is the answer. This is a quickie response. A short-sighted solution so typical of Education Undersecretary Jose Luis Gascon. He has not changed much since his days at the U.P. Student Council.

A more viable solution is to revise the first two years of the high school curriculum to address the shortfalls of the grade school curriculum. At the same time, the grade school curriculum should be revised so that in six-years’ time, the ineptitude that currently characterizes the public grade school graduates should see some substantial improvement. The changes in the curricula of both levels would be gradual and progressive. And they should be reviewed at the end of each year based on the actual performance of pupils. All that, naturally, should go hand-in-hand with solutions regarding lack of classrooms and facilities and better pay for public school teachers.

Is that so much to ask of the DepEd? Why this seeming abhorrence for long-term, but more reasonable, programs?

One reason, of course, is that Usec. Gascon wants a pilot program for which he shall get credit and be remembered for. A ticket to the Congress or the Senate, so to speak.

Some people can be so transparent.

UPDATE at 6.42 p.m.

From the evening news, DepEd has declared that the “bridge program” shall be optional.

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