SUPPORT, NOT SUSPEND MOTHER TONGUE EDUCATION, GROUP SAYS

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) today insisted on calling on the government to improve the implementation of the Mother Tongue-Based Multi-Lingual Education (MTB-MLE), instead of outright suspension as proposed by se legislators. The call was made during the public hearing of the Senate Basic Education Committee chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

TDC National Chairperson who sits as one of the resource persons in todays hearing said that while there are only two recognized official languages in the country, the foreign English and the Tagalog-based Filipino, its linguistics is not confined to these two dominant languages because there are over a hundred languages that exist and are utilized by the people on a daily basis.

“Children, especially those in the early grades of education learn better if the language used in teaching is the language they know and use on a daily basis, a fact that is undeniable, Basas said recognizing the inclusion of the MTB-MLE in K-12 Basic Education Curriculum, which according to him is a significant advancement not only in education but also in the socio-cultural context, because for the first time a law enacted by Congress recognized the diversity of our country’s languages and officially guaranteed them space in educational institutions throughout the country.”

However, the TDC acknowledges the government’s shortcomings to implement the law, “ten years after the program was introduced, it appears that many of our people’s expectations have not been met. The MTB-MLE has already received criticism from parents, local politicians, legislators, some DepEd employees, and even teachers,” Basas stated, adding that Congress should focus on how to fix the perceived flaws.

While the TDC recognizes the difficulties in implementing the program, particularly in areas with linguistic and cultural overlap, it also states that outright suspension should not be the only option, “as it would serve as a handy justification for not carrying out a program with good intentions,” Basas explained. “If the suspension of the MTB-MLE is justified because it is not being carried out in accordance with the spirit and letter of the law, the K-12 Program should also be halted in its entirety,” he added.

Instead the TDC proposes the following suggestions:

1. Evaluate the DepEd’s implementation throughout the previous ten years;
2. Provide sufficient funding for the production of resources, publications, modules, and comprehensive teacher training and preparation;
3. Launch a thorough study with the assistance of linguists, anthropologists, historians, child psychologists, and sociologists and other experts using information from prior studies and other national and international resources;
4. Raise awareness employing both mainstream and alternative media to inform and educate the general public using their vernaculars;
5. Develop pertinent curricula and readily accessible printed and online learning resources with the assistance of pedagogy experts and with the participation of leaders of the relevant cultural communities.

“The cultural identity that is primarily represented in our mother tongue is an important part of our individual personality and collective identity as Filipino people. Thus, it cannot be eliminated by prohibiting young pupils from learning in their native language. The continued presence of Filipino and mother tongue subjects in our educational system serves as a reminder of who we are as Filipinos. And the state, especially our public education system is constitutionally mandated to maintain, promote and further enrich our languages, our inherited heritage, Basas ended.

The group is advocating for an open discussion of the language concerns thus it appreciates the initiative of Sen. Gatchalian. #

For details:
Benjo Basas, National Chairperson
09273356375

Submit your contribution online through HRonlinePH@gmail.com
Include your full name, e-mail address, and contact number.

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit the submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos, etc.