Education in the Philippines

Working out everything about the education system in the Philippines can be a complicated process. There are seemingly endless schools and universities in such a large country. We understand research can be a little overwhelming. So we have written this article to assist you.

In this article, we will help you understand the education system in the Philippines and provide you with a few things to consider when selecting a school or university.

Key Facts:

Around 29 million children go to school in the Philippines.

There are over 27.5 million children are enrolled in public schools in the Philippines.

Preschool in the Philippines

Private pre-school fees tend to range between PHP 20000 and 150000 per year. In many cases, public preschool will be free or heavily subsidised by the government. Another way you can potentially minimise your fees is by using e-Pocket to transfer money to the Philippines.

Generally speaking, preschool in the Philippines is for children between the ages of three and five. It is considered an important foundation for the development of children, despite not being mandatory. This is because it provides both social and educational foundations.

There are many public preschools in the Philippines. These are often linked to larger educational institutions that cover primary, middle and secondary education. Additionally, there are also many private and religious institutions that offer preschool.

Preschool curriculum in the Philippines emphasises the development of social, physical and cognitive skills in young children, and sometimes includes teaching on specific subjects like mathematics, arts and science. The programs take up to three years.

Preschool usually focuses on interaction and play-based learning. Assessments are more informal and observational, and designed to monitor the development of the child. Schools keep parents informed of their child’s progress. They highly encourage parent-teaching meetings.

Ultimately, the purpose of preschool in the Philippines is to prepare children for their formal education. There are many different considerations you will consider before selecting a preschool for your child, such as teaching methods, reputation and prices.

Elementary School in the Philippines

Private school fees in the Philippines for elementary school range between PHP 30000 and 100000 per year. But it is always most effective to contact prospective schools directly to get the most accurate information. Like preschool, public elementary school is free or heavily subsidised by the government.

The elementary stage of education in the Philippines is the first formal stage of learning for children. This is generally a six-year process, broadly between the ages of six to 12. Elementary school is compulsory in the Philippines.

Elementary school in the Philippines is informally divided into two three-year blocks. These are primary level for grades 1-3, and intermediate level for grades 4-6.

The Department of Education sets the educational agenda. Children are taught many different subjects: English, Filipino, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Arts, Music, Health, Physical Education and Values Education. Whilst some private schools will develop their own programs, they will still follow the overall curriculum required by the Department of Education. The goal of elementary education in the Philippines is to learn and develop foundational skills and promote their overall development.

Elementary school involves some formal assessments through things like quizzes, exams, projects and oral presentations, and standardised tests like the National Achievement Test.

Depending on the institution and the teacher, children will learn through a range of different methods, such as lecture, discussion, group activities and hands-on learning. Given children learn in a range of different ways, it is always worth comparing teaching styles at different institutions before deciding which will be suited to your child’s needs.

Other factors to consider include the availability of certain facilities, as well as extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, and competitions. Each of these will depend on the institution.

Secondary School in the Philippines

Private high school fees in the Philippines start at PHP 40000 per year. Whilst you should always contact prospective schools directly to get the most accurate information, keep in mind that some fees will be much higher than this. There will also be extra expenses like books and laboratory fees, amounting to an average of around PHP 50000 per year.

Public private school in the Philippines is Like preschool is free or heavily subsidised by the government.

High school is now generally broken into two sections in the Philippines: Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS). JHS covers Grades 7-10, for children between the ages of around 13-16, while SHS completes the K-12 system, with the last two grades for 17 and 18-year-olds.

JHS adds more nuance and complexity to subjects learnt throughout elementary school, and provides a foundation for the completion of K-12 study. SHS allows students to choose their own academic tracks, which can help the transition towards further study. The four academic tracks are Academic Tracks: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management), HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences), and GAS (General Academic Strand).

Furthermore, there are a number of Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Tracks for students who want to develop practical skills and training for specific industries.

After successfully completing high school, students have a lot of different options and career opportunities. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best high school for your child. The availability and quality of academic and vocational tracks varies greatly depending on the school, so be sure to do your research.

Vocational Education in the Philippines

Vocational and technical education fees vary greatly but are generally significantly cheaper than any college degree. It is also worth noting many of these courses are free or sponsored by the government.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Philippines allows students who have just finished high school a range of different career paths. There are public TVET institutions that are often free or heavily subsidised, as well as many private institutions that are much more expensive.

These institutions are known as technical-vocational schools, training centres and institutions. Programs are highly varying in duration, depending on the programs. They can be as short as just a few months, and as long as a number of years.

TVET programs cover several fields, like culinary arts, healthcare, electronics, hospitality, agriculture and many others. These courses provide hands-on training and theoretical knowledge.

One of the most appealing elements of TVET training is the flexibility. You can do short-term courses, diplomas or longer training programs depending on your interests, educational background or career goals. You can learn more about this by having a look at the TESDA.

Students who successfully complete TVET programs and pass competency assessment exams receive certifications that can help them gain employment. In some courses, they will have the opportunity to do internships and on-the-job training, which allows for practical and industry experience. Due to high demand for skilled labour in many industries across the Philippines, the completion of a TVET course generally comes with plenty of job opportunities.

Tertiary Education in the Philippines

Tertiary education fees vary greatly depending on the institution and the field. You should always research your options. However, there are many public universities and colleges you can study at for free, or at a highly subsidised price.

Most higher learning institutions are regulated by the Commission on Higher Education. Public universities offer a wide range of programs, usually in English. Universities must offer at least eight different undergraduate programs in a range of different fields and at least two graduate programs, while colleges generally offer one or more specialised programs. Both universities and colleges are Higher Education Institutions, or HEIs.

Undergraduate degrees are usually four years, with two semesters per year. Some courses, especially in fields like architecture and engineering, can go longer than four years.

Some institutions have complicated admissions processes. In many cases, prospective students will have to sit entrance exams, do interviews, or submit their academic records. These requirements will vary greatly depending on the institutions.

You can study in many different fields in the Philippines. These include social science, arts, business, education, engineering, and many others. Different universities and colleges specialise in different fields, so do as much research as possible before settling on where you would like to apply.

As you would expect, completing an undergraduate can lead to a vast array of employment opportunities. However, many students will be looking to pursue further study. The Philippines offer many different master’s and doctoral programs, which allow students to do specialised study and research in particular fields.

Conclusion

The educational landscape in the Philippines is broad and comes with a lot of opportunity. No matter what stage of education a student is, there are many options, public or private, to pursue academics.

We wish you the best of luck in finding a school or university best suited to you or your child.