As demand for quality education grows and gets tough, every member of the academefaces a huge task and great challenge to be very effective and efficient in uplifting our deteriorating educational system. The government on its part does its gargantuan duty by implementing feasible measures aimed to fully address this alarming condition of Philippine education. One of these measures is to hold different seminars and trainings geared towards improving the present standard of education. But, are these programs the optimum need of every mentor to be effective and productive? Do they provide the needed skills useful in the teaching and learning process? Some say yes, but others say no.

Those who say, “Yes”, have certain points to ponder about. One of which is, why our current educational system is deteriorating based on the very poor mean percentage score (mps) in the annual National Achievement Test for English, Mathematics, and Science in spite the numerous trainings conducted for mentors? For instance, English Proficiency has long been our country’s pride and treasured legacy. It has been our trademark among other countries as being proficient in English for over a century. However, several studies and surveys indicate an alarming decline among Filipino youth’s proficiency level in the said language nowadays. In fact, according to the study in 2006 conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce 75 percent of the Philippines’ annual 400,000 college graduates have “sub-standard English language skills.” Then, Dr. Edilberto De Jesus, former Secretary of the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS) observed that the ability to understand and speak English was a waterloo among Filipino nurses. Undeniably, they fared well on required technical and patient-care skills but failed in language proficiency, particularly in the Test of Spoken English (TSE) where only 16 percent of the examinees passed. These facts are attributed to the poor mastery of reading and comprehension skills among the Filipino youth.

Those who say, “No”, have few good points to think of. One of which is, do teachers really apply and use learned skills and techniques in their teaching tasks? Are they open to change and innovation?

As mentor, I do consider teaching both a fulfilling commitment and duty to people and God. It is a painstaking devotion that requires right teaching skills and desirable values. It is likewise an exciting journey to multi-faceted dimensions of human affairs and unending wonder and beauty of life. It is, therefore, a task too challenging and inspiring to do.

Founded by Dr. Lucio C. Tan on December 1, 1994, FUSE seeks to improve the skills in English, Science and Mathematics teachers. Its programs include regular teacher training workshops; a post-graduate scholarship program for Science and Engineering teachers; production and distribution of telecourses in English, Elementary Science, Chemistry, Physics and Math; and a host of other educational programs in partnership with government and private learning institutions.