- The national government controls school for all Filipino kids. They are required to attend K-6, and then school becomes more of a choice. However, grades 7-12 are necessary to attend college and to get a better job.
- Because the Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands, communicating with all the schools can be difficult. The needs of students/teachers in Manila are very different from those on a remote island mountaintop.
- All teachers have the same pay scale, no matter where they live.
- All students are expected to learn exactly the same thing, no matter where they live.
- When they reach high school, some students who do well in school can take tests to attend better schools that will lead to better universities and jobs.
- Students in grades K-3 are taught in their "mother tongue" -- the language of their province that they speak at home. After that, all classes are taught in either Filipino or English.
- Class size is usually between 40-50 students.
- Most special education students do not receive any extra help or services.
- There are special curriculums, as well as special schools, provided in areas that have large indigenous (native) populations or large Muslim populations. This is because the Philippines feel that these minority groups deserve a chance to learn more about their own cultural groups.
- There are often not enough materials (like books, workbooks) for all students, so some students might have to pay for a photocopy to be made.
- This is the first year that grade 11 is offered in the Philippines. Next year, grade 12 will be offered as well.
- In Senior High School, students may choose one of four tracks: General Education, Vocational/Technical, Art & Design, or Sports.
That's what I know so far! I'm sure I will be learning a lot more in the coming days. Please write me comments with any questions that you have about the education system and I will try to find out for you!
Do the kids have the computers today? Are you having trouble with my blog?
ReplyDeleteI should have included more information!
ReplyDeleteThe Sports track is offered to the least number of students of the four tracks. For example, in the presenter's province, there are 8ish Senior High Schools, but only one will even offer the Sports track. Students who choose the Sports track would be trained more in PE-type activities in hopes of becoming athletes or coaches in the future.
The General Education track will contain the most students because it contains many sub-categories, including humanities, business education/entrepreneurship, and more.
This is the first year of Senior High School, so they're still working out the kinks. (The Philippines was one of only three countries in the world with a ten-year education system rather than a 12-year one!) The students in 10th grade take an aptitude test and a career placement test in hopes of guiding them to the best decision for their track. However, the ultimate decision is theirs, meaning that they are not simply placed in a track.
Wow - 40 to 50 students in one class?! Is there just one teacher provided per class? Are there classroom aides to help the teachers and students?
ReplyDeleteAre the children expected to learn English and Filipino at home?
I know, the class sizes seem like they are huge! It will be interesting to see what that looks like (and how the students behave!) when I go to my host school next week. I will have to ask your other questions to the experts and get back with you :)
DeleteDo they have jobs that are good for them, but for us it is a bad job?
ReplyDeletePeople have a huge variety of jobs here. For example, today I saw a man hand painting the stripes on the side of a curb. In the stores, there are many people working in different departments. I will try to get some pictures of people working to share with you!
DeleteI hope you have fun during this amazing opportunity!! I can't wait to keep reading your blog and seeing all the cool things you get to experience! I'm glad I got you for the D.C. trip last year, because you made it really fun!! Who took over the trip for you? I miss you!! Can't wait to see you again next year!!
ReplyDeleteHi Montgomery, I'm so excited that you're reading my blog! I hope that I can keep up with posting all of the amazing things about the Philippines. I am sad that I have to miss the Washington DC trip this year, but I know they'll have a great time with Mrs. Wilkinson!
DeleteWhy are the class sizes so big?
DeleteThe class sizes are big because there are a lot of people and very limited resources. There aren't enough teachers or enough classrooms to make the classes smaller. Their government is trying to work on this problem, but it's slow because they don't have a lot of money.
DeleteHow many classes are there in total?
DeleteWhat are the teachers like there.
ReplyDeleteSo far I have only met two teachers because I've been spending my time meeting with important officials and heads of different organizations. But the ones I have met are nice and funny!
Deleteis it warm over there
ReplyDeleteIt is very HOT here! I wasn't ready for how hot it feels. The temperature has been in the 90s every day and it feels even hotter.
DeleteSo all this time the school systems haven't had an 11th grade?
ReplyDeleteThat's right. They're adding 11 & 12 over the next two years. They were one of only 3 countries in the world with a 10-year education system and it was causing problems as the world becomes more globalized.
DeleteHi Mrs.Sobek, hows the food up there?
ReplyDeleteMia Rzepka
Hi Mia! The food has been delicious and there has been so much of it. I'm working on a post about food to show you soon!
DeleteEven though you've only been gone a few days it seems like a while, I hope you're having fun! The Philippines sound so cool! Are you going to take advice from their school system and the way they teach and bring it here to teach your sixth grade English. I bet it kind of sucks that you can't teach social studies next year because that would be really cool to teach all about the Philippines. Well till tomorrow! Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
ReplyDeleteI really hope that I can bring a lot from my experiences here back to our school, even if that means just sharing it with other teachers like Ms. Bean. :)
Deletehi is it fun over there
ReplyDeleteOf course! They have been keeping us very busy going on tours and meeting with important people in the education system here.
DeleteHow long is their average school day?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. I'll find out for you!
DeleteI was reading an article that said the average school day was from 6:45-4:30
DeleteThank you for the ideas for the project.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteIs the food good? What is your favorite thing you have ate?
DeleteHi Mrs. Sobek! What types of classes do they have to take as core classes? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Carson! They take many of the same core classes we do: Math, Science, Social Studies, English. They also require Filipino. I will know more about this soon, so stay tuned for more details.
DeleteWhat is the school day like for the students? What kind of classes do they have?
ReplyDeletedo they have band and if they do what instruments do they play
ReplyDeleteHow is the scenery there.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my latest post for more information about what it looks like (hint: very tropical!).
DeleteDo they have sports? Or after school activities at all such as student council or YIG?
ReplyDeleteI met some Student Council kids today! They call it "Supreme Student Government." And sports are very popular here.
DeleteAnd also, what to the students usually do either after school, during the summer, or during the weekend? I'm really curious!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a lot of great experiences there in Manila! I believe this is a one in a lifetime possibility for you, and I'm glad that you are having fun! Just make sure to try some Adobo while you are there; I've heard its very good!
HAVE FUN!
-Carson
P.S - Has my handbook come in handy yet? :)
I tried some chicken adobo today! The flavor was really good, but I didn't like the fact that the meat had lots of bones in it. Your handbook has been amazing! Salamat!
Deletehello Sobek i hope your having a good time,i was wondering what kind of school foods they have and if you will upload some phots of it
ReplyDeleteI'll try, but school doesn't start until next week here!
DeleteIs the food good?
ReplyDeleteHow many Muslims are in the school?
DeleteSo far I haven't seen any Muslims in the two schools I have visited. Most of the Muslims who live in the Philippines live in Mindanao, the southernmost part of the archipelago, and I'm not going to get a chance to visit there.
DeleteAlso, is there help for special education students??
ReplyDeleteThere doesn't seem to be much.
DeleteHow long do they have school for? Do they give as much help as we do?
ReplyDeleteHow long is a school year?
ReplyDeleteMiddle of June - beginning of April
Deletehow many breaks do they have, and how long are they, and what are they for.
DeleteThey get one week off the first week of November for All Saints Day, two weeks off in December for Christmas, and one week off in March for Easter. Those are all Catholic religious holidays because the Philippines is 85% Catholic.
DeleteHow do you feel about their schooling compared to the United States?
ReplyDeleteI haven't decided yet. I'm still learning!
DeleteI'll have to get back to you all on what classes are offered. I'll know more after visiting some schools tomorrow and next week.
ReplyDeleteAlso why do the special needs not get the help, are you in favor of this or not, and why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI heard one teacher say that with 50-60 students in each class, the teacher simply does not have time to give each student special help.
DeleteIf they are signed into their Google account in the Chrome browser, they shouldn't have any trouble. Sometimes they aren't signed into the browser even if they are signed into the computer. I don't think anyone should be commenting as unknown. They should not have to sign up for the blog because they're not editing it. If they have trouble they could always ask a friend to comment for them!
ReplyDeleteHow big are the class,like how many students in one class.What is the disciplinary issues.What is the parental issues are the parents into helping their kids
ReplyDeleteCan you post a picture of you and your class?
ReplyDeleteI will try!
DeleteDo you think we should have our school length the same as the Philippines?
ReplyDeleteI think it is already pretty close. They have April and May off for summer and we have July and August.
Deletewhat are the classes they take?are they similar to ours?
ReplyDeleteMost of them are the same as ours -- Math, Science, History, English -- but they also take some different ones -- Filipino, Values
DeleteWhat subjects are taught at the schools?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how long is a school day?
ReplyDeleteAbout 6-7 hours for students, depending on grade level
DeleteIs school mandatory in the Philippines?
ReplyDeleteYes, for grades K-6, and becoming more mandatory for the upper grades.
DeleteWhat are the types of special needs students that are there? As someone that use to be (and might still be in the future) a special needs student, I'm interested into seeing all of the types of the students in that "category" that don't get special/extra help.
ReplyDeleteIn the Philippines, a student does not get classified as "special needs" unless they are severely impaired (such as, physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, severe autism). Students are not usually diagnosed as having learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, so they don't get the extra help that U.S. schools would offer to students.
DeleteWhat are the popular sports
ReplyDeleteHows your view (from ur room)
ReplyDeleteMy view in Manila was amazing - it overlooked the city. Now my view in Batangas is an air shaft with garbage in it :)
DeleteHi Mrs.Sobek! I hope you are having a wonderful time in the Philippines. How many students are their in one classroom?
ReplyDeleteHi! It depends on the school/year but there are usually between 40 and 60 students per class.
DeleteHello Mrs.Sobek. How are you doing? How many hours of school do you have?
ReplyDeleteHi Mariam, I'm doing great! Teachers in the Philippines are at school for about 8 hours each day. Students are there between 6-7 hours. Because there are so many students, most schools have two shifts of classes, with some grades attending school in the morning from 6 am - 1 pm (ish) and some in the afternoon from 12 noon - 6ish.
DeleteWhat is the percentage of Middle Eastern kids are in the school
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any Middle Eastern people here at all!
DeleteWhat is the percent of Muslims in the school?
ReplyDeleteMost of the Muslims in the Philippines live in the southernmost region of the country. I am in the northern region, so I haven't seen many Muslims at all.
DeleteHello!!! I am wondering, how many hours of a school day do you have?
ReplyDeleteDo they have on classroom that they sit in and the teacher comes to them or do the change classes?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the school. I have seen some each way.
DeleteDo they have school sports?
ReplyDeleteYes, quite a few! Basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton, table tennis and more!
DeleteWhat is your favorite food that you have tried so far?
ReplyDeleteBeef cadereta! YUM!
DeleteAre the students there more respectful than here? Also, hope you are having a great time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to observe any classes yet because school doesn't start until Monday, but that seems to be what people think!
DeleteAre you excited about the new family you are staying with?
ReplyDeleteI'm not actually staying with them at their home, but I am very excited about my host teacher because she is amazing!
DeleteHas the National Government always controlled school for Filipino kids?
ReplyDeleteSince the U.S. gave them their independence in 1946, I believe.
DeleteI hope you are having a fun time in the Philippines, You are probably relived that the travel is over and you get to see how being in the Philippines feels like. I was wondering if you can show me what the school looks like from the inside when school starts.
ReplyDeleteI will do my best!
DeleteThe favorite sport of the Philippines is basketball.
ReplyDeleteWhy do the Philippine schools try to put so many kids in one classroom? Do they usually have more than one teacher?
ReplyDeleteEach class has one teacher. The classes are so big because they don't have enough classrooms or teachers to have smaller classes.
Deletethey have tablets instead of computers.
ReplyDeletewhat are some better aspects of there schools compared to the us Schools
ReplyDeleteI think one good thing is that the community is very involved in the school. The week before school starts, they have a big work bee where teachers and parents and students all come and clean the school together and repaint everything. So it seems like the community has stronger feelings about the importance of being involved in the schools.
DeleteWhat happens to the students if they get in trouble?
ReplyDeleteMost students don't get in trouble here because culturally school is a lot more important to them. Students in the Philippines don't take education for granted because they know that it is a path out of poverty. If they do get in trouble, they will have parents meetings or contact with the principal. The only way for a student to get expelled from school is for the National Secretary of Education to expel them. However, I did hear that many of the students who might make trouble in school simply don't come, because school attendance isn't enforced as much as it is in the U.S.
Delete