Teachers group frowns at English as main medium of instruction

The quality of education in the country may “further deteriorate” and students may not understand their lessons if the English language will be used as the main medium of instruction in schools, according to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines.

The group made the remark after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, called for a review of English as the country's medium of instruction in order for Filipinos to maintain the advantage of being known as English-speaking people.

Marcos said that foreign employers favor Filipino employees because of their command of the English language so this should thus be an “advantage that we must continue to enjoy.”

ACT, however, refuted this, saying that believing that Filipinos will get better in subjects like Science and Math if taught in English is an “illusion.”

Currently, the mother tongue is required to be used as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 under the K to 12 law.

"The quality of education would further deteriorate and learners would not understand their lessons if the supposed K to 12 review focuses on the push for English as the main medium of instruction," ACT said in a statement Tuesday.

In response to this, Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa explained on Wednesday that the agency’s current programs and method of evaluating the curriculum are based on the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 prepared by the previous administration.

Under this plan of improving the delivery and quality of basic education, Poa said the mediums of instruction are still Filipino and English.

“Under that, the medium of instruction would still be English and Filipino, but pending final decision on the matter. Hindi ko pa masabi kung ano talaga [I can’t say yet], but I'll let you know on that matter,” he said in a press conference.

“Sa ngayon, so just we have a sense of direction, kung ano ang nakasaad sa BEDP, doon naka-anchor lahat ng current and future programs ng DepEd,” he added.

(Right now, DepEd’s current and future programs are anchored on what is stated in the BEDP.)

DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III earlier said he suggested to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to make English and Filipino as medium of instruction in schools.

He said that such an adjustment would need legislation.

The School Year 2022-2023 will open on August 22 and will end on July 7, 2023.

The DepEd said schools will only be allowed to hold blended learning schedules and full-distance learning until October 31. Starting November 2, all public and private schools should transition to five days of in-person classes.  —KBK, GMA News