LIFTING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TO RAISE ECONOMIC GROWTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003561 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EB/CIP STATE PASS USTR USDOC FOR 4430 ITA/MAC/ASIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ETRD PREL SCUL KPAO RP SUBJECT: LIFTING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TO RAISE ECONOMIC GROWTH -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. English language proficiency has steadily declined in the Philippines over Qe past 30 years, mostly due to decreased use of English by teachers, the exodus of qualified English teachers to overseas jobs, and the lack of education infrastructure, including classrooms and supplies. The GRP recognizes the harmful effect on economic growth and development and has implemented programs to improve English language skills. However, to reverse a 20-year trend, the GRP will need to produce long-term improvements in the educational system. End Summary. -------------- Industry Concerns about English -------------- ¶2. Low labor costs, English fluency, and cultural affinity provide the Philippines advantages over other Southeast Asian countries in attracting U.S. investment. However, U.S. businesses are concerned about declining English proficiency, claiming that current manufacturing, banking and seafaring job applicants do not meet the same standards as their colleagues did a few years ago. This may potentially hinder Philippine industry growth and expansion. Poor English skills in the e-services sector, encompassing call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO) operations, are causing a bottleneck in the establishment of new call centers and hiring of applicants. According to the Business Processing Association, an advocacy organization for the e-services industry, only 5% of job applicants are hired; the rest often lack the required level of English proficiency. -------------- -------------- Factors Contributing to Decline of English Ability -------------- -------------- ¶3. English was the medium of instruction in the Philippine public schools until 1974, when a system of "bilingual education" was introduced, in which certain subjects were taught in Tagalog Filipino and others in English. The primacy of Tagalog was cemented in 1987, when then-President Aquino established Tagalog and English as the official languages of communication and instruction in the new constitution. Since then there has been a steady decline in English ability. A survey by Social Weather Stations found a general decline in English use since 1993, with only 40% of respondents claiming mastery of the English language in 2006. Contributing to this decline is the increasing use of Tagalog and "Taglish" in the broadcast media. While most newspapers and magazines are in English, prime-time television is dominated by Tagalog programming. The decline of English mastery among school teachers has also hurt proficiency levels. An English assessment showed only 19% of teachers scored at 75% or higher. Complicating the issue is the exodus of the best-qualified teachers to lucrative jobs in the U.S. School infrastructure is also a problem, as Filipino classrooms are seriously overcrowded, with student-teacher ratios at 50:1 and schools running on double shifts. -------------- --- Initiatives to Promote English Language Learning -------------- --- ¶4. To reverse the decline in English ability, President Arroyo released Executive Order 210 in 2003 re-establishing English as the official medium of instruction for most students in math, science, and English as a second language. Teachers often lack adequate English language skills, however, and continue to rely on Taglish for instruction. To address this problem, the GRP Department of Education launched the National English Proficiency Program in 2003 to bring English proficiency testing of math, science, and English teachers, and a mentor training program. In addition, the GRP, in conjunction with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda) pledged $9.6 million for a "Training for Work Scholarships" program granting scholarships to 100,000 "near hires" (job applicants turned away from call centers due to lack of English language proficiency) to study English. ¶5. Business associations and corporations have developed their own programs to boost English language proficiency amongst potential job applicants. The American Chamber of Commerce joined with the Philippines-U.S. Business Council to inaugurate the PEP (Promoting English Proficiency) Project in 2003. The project uses classroom teaching and computer-based software to teach English at the secondary and college levels. PEP expects to open 20 computer English language centers by the end of 2006. To counteract the degradation of English in the media, the European Chamber of Commerce designed the "English is Cool" public relations campaign in 2006 to promote bilingualism and discourage young people from using MANILA 00003561 002 OF 002 Taglish. ¶6. The USG, through USAID and Peace Corps, is sponsoring programs in poor, remote areas, including Mindanao, to improve the Philippine education system. The programs include providing television, radio, and computers for teaching science, math, and English; supplying textbooks to schools; implementing skills training for students seeking employment; and introducing audiotapes and books to improve language teaching and learning. Altogether, the U.S. is investing over $4 million to support English language instruction in Mindanao. Since 2003, a series of State Department-funded English Language Fellows has assisted the Philippine Department of Education with the implementation of the National English Proficiency Program, with special emphasis on Mindanao. -------------- Appointment of a New Education Secretary -------------- ¶7. In July 2006, President Arroyo appointed a three-term congressman, Jesli Lapus, as the new Education Secretary. In announcing her selection, Arroyo credited Lapus for spearheading a successful package of tax reforms while serving as chairman of the House Ways and Means committee. According to news reports, Department of Education employees vehemently opposed his appointment, preferring an educator rather than a politician at the helm. Shortly after his appointment, Lapus publicly stated his desire to restore English as the medium of instruction and announced his commitment to institute education reforms, such as training teachers in managerial and administrative skills and increasing the education budget. He noted, for example, that the education, culture and manpower development budget has steadily declined from 4% of GDP in 1998 to 2.5% of GDP in 2005. Lapus may have support from his former Congressional colleagues for expanding the education budget. In proposed legislation to revise fiscal incentives for investors, Senator Ralph Recto proposed that 50% of the revenue gains from the act be devoted to education. -------------- COMMENT: How to Improve English Fluency -------------- ¶8. To resurrect English proficiency in the Philippines, the GRP must adopt long-term strategies to improve the overall educational infrastructure, such as building and equipping new classrooms and providing school furniture and supplies. The government also must hire additional teachers and provide intensive English language training, with incentives to employ and retain those with better English mastery. The private sector should be encouraged to continue its positive role promoting English skills. USAID-sponsored education programs in Mindanao have been particularly successful, and could serve as models for what the GRP can accomplish in the rest of the country. JONES