HEADLINES: Filipino students lag in learning by 5 years | Dec. 7, 2023
Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
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Filipino students lag in learning by 5 years
THE results of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that Filipino learners lag behind their counterparts in other countries by three to five years, the Department of Education (DepEd) said. The results showed that 15-year-olds got a mean score of 355 points in mathematics, 347 in reading and 356 in science, lower than their Southeast Asian counterparts and the average score among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The average score among OECD countries is 472 points for mathematics, 476 points for reading and 485 points for science. Based on OECD’s calculations that a 20-point difference in test scores is equivalent to a delay of learning by a year, 15-year-old Filipino learners are delayed by around three to five years, DepEd’s PISA focal point person Alexander Sucalit Jr. said. The scores reflect that more than 75 percent of 15-year-old students were way below the Level 2 minimum proficiency in math, science and reading based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Quality of Education a challenge– experts
THE quality of education is one of the biggest challenges facing the education sector in the Philippines, stakeholders admitted on Wednesday. Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (Papsu) President Antonio del Carmen said in a press conference at the Philippine Education (PhilEd) Conference that the high volume of students remains a factor, and “it is something that both the public and the private sector have to work on.” The Department of Education (DepEd) said there are about 22.8 million students enrolled for School Year 2023-2024, while there are only 900,000 teachers. Education stakeholders said the learning crisis has to be addressed.
2023 to be hottest year on record – monitor
This year will be the hottest in recorded history after an “extraordinary” November became the sixth record-breaking month in a row, Europe’s climate monitor said Wednesday, piling pressure on the COP28 talks to act on climate change. Last month smashed the previous November heat record, pushing 2023’s global average temperature to 1.46 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said. There had been warnings this year could take the title of hottest year from 2016 — particularly after records toppled in September and October — but this marks the first time it has been confirmed. November also contained two days that were 2 C warmer than pre-industrial levels. Not one such day had ever before been recorded. Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the Copernicus service, said that 2023 has “now had six record-breaking months and two record-breaking seasons.”Scientists say data from ice cores, tree rings, and the like suggests this year could be the warmest in more than 100,000 years.
France ready for joint WPS patrols
FRANCE is ready to hold joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea, its top diplomat in Manila said Wednesday, reaffirming Paris’ bid to reinforce its role as a “like-minded” partner in the Indo-Pacific. French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel made the statement after Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said more states are seeking to hold air and sea patrols with the Philippines. France and the Philippines are waiting for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron to green-light the negotiations on a VFA, which would provide a legal framework for the presence of one country’s forces in the other. The possibility of joint patrol would come after the discussion on the visiting forces agreement, that is, as I said, was a pre-requisite or requirement before we could organize that,” Fontanel said. The envoy clarified that France’s push to increase its presence in the region is under the ambit of its Indo-Pacific Strategy that seeks to promote a rules-based order in the region. She added that France is also concerned over the developments in the West Philippine Sea.
In Business
Inflation could hit target in December
MONTHLY inflation could finally return to target this month but monetary authorities will continue to remain hawkish given continued upside risks, analysts said. Consumer price growth slowed for a second straight month to a 20-month low of 4.1 percent in November, just short of hitting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2.0- to 4.0-percent target. Year to date, inflation remained above target at 6.2 percent. China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez said the significant slowdown over the past two months was “positive news.” China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez said the significant slowdown over the past two months was “positive news.” Despite the downtrend, however, Velasquez said the BSP would continue to keep policy settings tight until the second half of next year. Pantheon Macroeconomics economist Miguel Chanco, meanwhile, said the latest inflation print had strengthened the outlook that inflation would be much more under control.
Topping Sports
UST ends NU’s reign in UAAP women’s hoops
END of a dynasty, end of a drought. The UST Growling Tigresses denied the NU Lady Bulldogs of an 8-peat with a 71-69 win in the decider of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball best-of-three Finals series, wresting their first title in 17 years at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 6. University of Santo Tomas (UST) ended its title-drought in a dramatic fashion, overcoming a 14-point, 47-61, deficit in the fourth quarter with a massive 24-8 run. Nikki Villasin capped the run and scored the go-ahead layup with 11.8 ticks left before the Growling Tigresses roared the final defensive stop, forcing Kristine Cayabyab to a tough three-point attempt that hit nothing but the air. Finals Most Valuable Player awardee Reynalyn “Tantoy” Ferrer pulled down 14 rebounds and scored 19 points including 9 in the back-breaking rally to lead UST, which copped its 12th championship in UAAP women’s basketball and got its first title in all of UAAP basketball in 17 years.
LeBron James lifts Lakers past Suns
LeBron James scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers secured the last semifinal spot in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament with a 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). Anthony Davis had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and Austin Reaves scored 20 points for the top-seeded Lakers, who will face New Orleans on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Las Vegas. James put on a masterful shooting performance down the stretch while also racking up 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals. The 21-year veteran scored 15 of the Lakers’ first 19 points in the final period and got the assists on his teammates’ other two baskets while Los Angeles pulled ahead. Kevin Durant scored 31 points, but he badly missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer for the Suns. Phoenix had won eight of 10 before losing to Los Angeles for the third time already this season.
Today’s editorial takes on conservation and how it is an easy win in the fight against climate change. Read the full version on print or digital or listen to the Voice of The Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto. Contreras writes about the chilling effect; Makabenta points to what we’re arguing about when we debate the idea of PH rejoining the International Criminal Court; and Danton Remoto on Caribbean voices.
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