Private school learners face learning loss in science, math due to COVID-19 pandemic —study

Students from private schools in the country suffered learning loss in science and mathematics due to the education-related issues that emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the study of the University of San Carlos (USC) and Thames International School (TIS).

The institutions conducted the first Philippine Assessment for Learning Loss Solutions (PALLS) in the last quarter of 2022, wherein 3,600 students in Grades 1 to 12 from 18 private schools nationwide participated.

Results of the study showed that the average scores of the students are 47.5% for math, and 54.1% for science, which are below the standard passing score set by the Department of Education (DepEd) at 60%.

The score for English, meanwhile, was 61.5%.

USC School of Education dean Richard Jugar, who presented the results of the examination, said the PALLS was based on the Most Essential Learning Competencies in the three subjects.

The students took a total of 75 multiple-choice test items from the contents of their math, science, and English subjects in their previous grade level.

USC and TIS said that a more detailed analysis by grade levels revealed that the average scores for all three subjects decrease as the grade level progresses, indicating a “more severe effect” for learners in Grades 4 to 12.

“The older the student, the lower the result…The magnitude of learning loss is much higher at the upper-grade levels,” Jugar said.

He pointed out that learners graduating from senior high school may enter colleges and universities with a “high range of learning losses, thereby increasing their risks of failure in higher education and future board exams.”

USC president Fr. Narciso Cellan Jr. said that if this problem is not addressed, the learning loss may translate into a huge productivity loss and costly economic consequences.

“It is therefore hoped that through this initiative, USC and Thames International will find like-minded individuals and groups who will partner with us in crafting and putting in place intervention programs that will put a stop to learning loss and turn it into learning boost,” he added.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier admitted that the pandemic's negative impact on the education of Filipino children was “enormous.”

She attributed the learning losses specifically among younger children to the sudden shift to remote learning modes.

Duterte also emphasized the need to avert the further deterioration of Philippine education, saying that the next two to three years will be a critical period for the reforms to the education system under her leadership.

In January, DepEd launched its MATATAG agenda which aims to implement resilient reforms in the curriculum, education services, and provision of facilities, learner wellbeing, and teacher support programs. —NB, GMA Integrated News