The Senate of the Philippines commended the De La Salle University and its research fellows who have distinguished themselves in policy research in the field of education reform, in a resolution adopted Tuesday January 23 2024.
In support of the mandate of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), the De La Salle University (DLSU) entered into a research collaboration with the Commission on June 14, 2023 to conduct 10 research studies on Basic and Teacher Education, covering 12 research questions.
“DLSU is doing 10 [research studies] and is footing the cost of these papers. Their generosity has allowed EDCOM to devote its resources to other aspects”, said EDCOM II Commissioner Senator Sonny Angara.
The researches conducted by the DLSU fellows revolve around the review and validation of the revised K to 10 curriculum; the policies and practices related to ensuring that home and school environments are conducive to learning; and the effective use of media for learning, especially for elementary learners.
At least two of the studies conducted by the DLSU Fellows focus on bullying. One of the studies identifies the types of schools according to bullying experiences of students, while another explores predictors of levels of bullying in the school. Preliminary findings show that in the Philippines, bullying remains prevalent, and teachers and school heads are often ill-equipped to address it. The studies also suggest that there is no singular solution for this widespread concern because it is affected by multiple factors such as culture, social environment, and lack of teacher support for a more empathetic school environment, among others.
These studies will contribute to the government’s efforts in enhancing the school environment in Filipino schools – a factor that is known to influence learning outcomes. In PISA 2018, it was discovered that 65% of Filipino students experienced bullying a few times each month; similarly, the latest PISA 2022 cycle revealed that about 43% of girls and 53% of boys in the Philippines encounter bullying incidents multiple times a month, suggesting that this should be a key area of reform in the coming years.
DLSU Research projects will be used by the Commission to inform policy recommendations and legislative measures.
The Commission, which celebrates its first anniversary on January 23, 2024, is also working with its research arm, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the UP President Edgardo J. Angara Fellowship, and other partnerships to diagnose problems in the Philippine education sector.
