The Problem
Our Education system is broken: Filipino students are being left behind, compared to their counterparts in Asia and the world.
Increasing number of children deprived of Education: The National Statistical Coordination Board had reported that more children do not have access to primary education now than five years ago-16.8% in 2007 compared to 9.7% in 2003-due to the rising cost of living and prices of basic needs. The International Finance Corp. also recently reported that the country's business competitiveness ranking slid down to 133rd, from 130th.
High drop-out rates: It can be noted that most kids drop out from school young: 22% of children who enter Grade 1 will have dropped out by Grade 3. Studies show a strong correlation between poor nutrition and high dropout rates. Furthermore, of all Grade 6 students, only 26%, 15% and 31% of students gain the required mastery of English, Science and Math, respectively.
Educational plans are failing: Filipino families have suffered in the hands of irresponsible pre-need companies. Hard-earned money, shelled out by hardworking parents month after month, to secure the dream of quality education for their children, has gone down the drain.
Mar Roxas' Action
Omnibus Education Reform: Roxas has filed Senate Bill 2294 entitled
Omnibus Education Reform Act of 2008 that would fix the problems in our broken educational system.
Mother tongue as medium of instruction: In the said proposed measure, Roxas wants the use of the Philippine language as a medium of instruction for Grades 1 to 3, saying studies have shown early education in the native language is more effective.
Expanded 12-year Basic Education program: In Roxas' bill, although unpopular for the students, mandates the increase from 10 to 12 the number of years in the basic education in consonance with international standards in order to make our own world-class educational system. It would also include competency evaluation at grades three and six, a remedial year between grade school and high school, and an “
output-oriented” high school curriculum that would equip graduates with the right skills, whether they choose to pursue college or already be employed.
Institutionalization of a long-term planning process for Education: The Roxas' plan would be rolling five-year budget plans that are consistent with quantitative and qualitative targets for education.
Intensive training and upgrading programs for teachers: Roxas wants to help teachers arm their students with the right competencies and knowledge by giving training programs on teaching methods using the mother language for teachers in Grades 1 to 3, and upgrading courses for English, Science and Math teachers who are not majors in these subjects.
Establish a Pre-Need Code: Roxas already filed in the Senate the Pre-Need Code since 2008. This will hold pre-need companies to stricter standards to safeguard the rights of Filipino families, such as concrete measures to protect plan holders; detailed provisions on the securities a pre-need company can invest in; and the percentage of the premiums that should go into the trust fund.
It also prescribes qualifications for those who manage the trust fund; and establishes an agency to regulate pre-need companies based on prudential principles based on soundness, stability, and sustainable growth.
Mar Roxas' Record
Record of Advocacy: Roxas, then a Congressman from Capiz, has been the author of Republic Act 7880 ("Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act") also known as the
Roxas Law. The law ensures fair distribution of the education capital budget among all the provinces. This started his advocacy for fair and equitable access to education, free from regional bias and political patronage considerations. Now, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, he will continue to push for education reform to improve our broken educational system.
He also authored the ‘PCs for Public Schools Project’ to provide student and teachers IT access. To date, the program has distributed 30,000 computers to over 2,000 public high schools nationwide, opening doors on hands-on computer training to 500,000 students yearly and reducing the computer backlog in public high schools by more than half, from 69 percent to 31 percent.
Roxas has also been working for all the parents out there who work long and hard to provide their children a life much better than what they had by putting their trust on the pre-need companies. He has been pushing for the Pre-Need Code in the Senate so that their sacrifice would not go to waste.
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His father (son of Placida Nacorda and Vicente Chua) and his mother (daughter of Anatalia Tablate and Alfredo Napalit), after their marriage in Biliran returned to Cebu and lived in 14 Tres Borces St., Mabolo, Cebu City to start their new family. After his birth, they transferred to his grandmother's residence in Macopa St., Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City where his siblings Khrisna Marie and Ervin John also lived.
Ben's education from kindergarten to high school was sustained by Dr. Edgardo and Angela San Juan (sister of his father), his uncle and aunt respectively. Ben went to Lourdes Kindergarten School for his primary education. He immediately enrolled in Kinder 2 and the next year, in the Preparatory class. He then went to Punta Princesa Elementary School for his elementary education. After graduating from elementary, he then proceeded to Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School for his secondary education, graduating from high school in 2007. Though he graduated without honors, he still managed to be a successful student in extra-curricular activities.
Ben is spending his college years in Cebu Institute of Technology. He is taking up Bachelor in Science Major in Information Technology.
