SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI COLLEGE 45 Admiral Road, Talon III, Las Pinas City ACADEMIC YEAR 2018-2019
GRADUATE SCHOOL of BUSINESS and EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM E DMA 53 531 MODE MODE R N TRE NDS an and PRA CTI CE S in E DUCATI ON
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Swanson Survey (1960) Reflection Paper Submitted by: Ms. RIZA R. PINTO Date Submitted: July 21, 2018
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Introduction One important relevant research in the country’s educational system is the Swanson Survey (1960). It was conducted by Dr. J. Chester Swanson, former superintendent of OKC schools, 1949-57 and member of First Baptist Church, OKC, Lions Club and Bd. for World Neighbors. Swanson Survey included Elementary education, Secondary education ,Vocational education Teacher training organization and administration Financing the public schools. The report included a deterioration of performance in reading, language and arithmetic due to poor instructional methods, large class sizes, and inadequate supervision. It reiterated observations of previous survey (Monroe Survey) and also noted problems in the education of cultural minorities and in the adaptation of foreign educational practices to local conditions. .Lamented how recommendation of previous surveys had not become effective because of: poor financing difficulty in getting public understanding inertia to change. Called for prioritization of investments for primary education and strengthening secondary education. - recommended the restoration of Grade 7. Approval of the policy of the use of Filipino National Language as a medium of instruction at the elementary level was done. Review of the SWANSON SURVEY found that many of the recommendations of the 1960 Swanson Survey had not been implemented by the Department of Education .
Reflection This comprehensive survey of public school education in the Philippines is the result of a team project of distinguished American and Filipino educators. The growth and development of a scientific discipline depends on the contribution of experts and events that led to the construction of knowledge. The history of educational assessment in the Philippines is likewise shaped by the contribution of experts in line with research, government policies on educational development, universities that produced competent experts and professional associations that provide a venue for experts to promote knowledge. We learned from history that Philippine Education has undergone a lot of struggles. In fact it is a product of a long history of struggles. Its image right now is a result of a gradual process of generations of colonialism and imperialism. During the Spanish regime the natives were contented to be vassals of Spain. They were successful in using religion to make the people become submissive and unquestioning. And even worse is that their policy was focused on treating the natives as a ward. This made our people think that there was no need for them to be educated.
Several researchers had delved into the different components affecting the educational system, more specifically, whether it can solve the multifarious problems in society. Education has been looked into as the means of alleviating poverty, decreasing criminalities, increasing economic benefits and ultimately uplifting the standard of living of the Filipino masses. With these in mind, the government on its part has been continuously investing so much into the education sector. However, with the complexity of educational issues, solutions are far from reality.
The poor quality of teaching in the Philippine public education affects the relatively low achievement of students in the public schools (Alvaera, Bayan, and Martinez; 2009). Furthermore, it was also pointed out in the same study that the role of the teacher is critical for they are the people who determine the content to be taught, the teaching strategy to be used and the conditions of learning the content. Given these three elements, it is imperative that teachers should not only have a strong background of the content and pedagogy, but more importantly, they should also realize the importance of their role in shaping the future of Philippine education. We need have teachers who are free from constraints that would significantly inhibit their ability to act to make them an effective human agency for transformation. They should not feel that they are just workers and implementers of whatever policies or changes the state would like to take effect. Teachers should understand their role in education and assert what best for their students. If our future direction of education is geared towards development of the whole being of a child, then teacher education needs to reflect this understanding in its design and practice.
What then can we do to transform the image that the educational system had propagated through the years? A lot of educators argued that there is a need to implement total transformation in the education sector of the country. Transformation of the education sector may refer to the total re-orientation of the system. But the system is too complex and it is better to start with policy transformation. Education policies and programs, including the curriculum must be carefully evaluated and studied to make it relevant to the Philippines and the global community. The provisions and policies must be reviewed and must be done in all levels. There must be a wide participation of the stakeholders in doing so. Our experts must be realistic in coming up with more attainable policies, that will address not only the educational problems and will not only contribute to economic growth and development of the country but more so with
the social and moral development of the society. Values reorientation of the Filipinos is also a key to national development. We need to provide our in-service and pre-service teachers the avenue so they could understand their role not just as workers or implementers but as human agency. Thus, there is an urgent call for transformation in the teacher education, in terms of their values orientation and in terms of emphasis of on understanding the interplay of power, history, and culture.
Also, transformation must include upgrading or updating for professional and personal development of teachers. Even if the salary of the ordinary public school teacher had been standardized to be competitive, with the increasing economic crisis, it will still be not enough to afford them attendance to seminars, training and enrollment in graduate education. Hence, government support and intervention, along this line is very much needed.
The distorted image that our education has as perceived by our children can only be changed if teachers and other stakeholders understand the real purpose of education and communicate it properly through practices. What really matters for teachers and other stakeholders is always reflected by their actions. It is only when children concretely observe their teachers consistently practice these good values that they will be able to replicate these in themselves.