Public  apology, not private- DepEd

By Marlon Callueng

"The World Bank, which released this data, did not follow protocol…because if you will report, the country must be informed on what will be released…there was no notification… media got it first…this is a big oversight," Education Secretary Leonor Briones wants World Bank (WB) to issue  public apology for a report declaring poor quality of education in the country.

Briones lamented  WB used old data in its report the country's result in the Program on International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018. She added that developments and reforms have been made since then.

She also revealed WB has two pending loan proposals to the Department of Education (DepEd) worth as much as $210 million.

"So, we'd like  public to be aware of this, and since the country was insulted, was shamed and so on, we expect and look forward to a public apology," Briones maintained.

Briones said WB had already apologized to DepEd through  private letter but she wanted the international financial institution to issue  public apology.

"They sent me a letter, so it's a personal apology…but it's not me who was hit here, it's the country," Briones said.

Advocacy group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) urged  government to address learning crisis that puts country's economic growth prospects at risk.

"Clearly, we need to stop learning crisis…all sectors of society need to take part in solving this crisis, with government taking the lead… we must demand for better education, for quality education enables individuals to enjoy strongly rooted and secure lives as reflected in 'Ambisyon Natin 2040'," PBEd chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said. 

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