IN a recent testing of grade school students, which determined their readiness for high school, the Department of Education discovered that our students are appallingly backward in English, Math, and Science.
The Bridge Program seeks to correct this unfortunate situation by adding one more year of education before the failing students are able to go to high school. This program has just been declared optional by the DepEd head. It seems there is no time to explain fully to all concerned to implement it this year. As a sort of compromise, only half of those who failed will be required to take the extra year.
Though some have noisily opposed the program, a recent survey indicated that most parents agree with the implementation of the program. I guess everybody realizes it is better to correct the situation now rather than later when the problems could compound.
As for our English capability or lack of it, we can thank all the pseudo-nationalists who insisted we all speak in Tagalog. To grandstand and try to catch the popular imagination, they stupidly ignored the fact that the Philippines is a small country in a big world where nobody speaks Tagalog. We were ahead in the use of English all over Asia. We had it and we tried our best to forget it. To give some vacuous politicians the image of being nationalistic. We have, therefore, lost our competitive edge in Asia. We have lost jobs, scholarships, and God knows what else. Why are we so fond of cutting our noses to spite our faces. Now we are trying to get capability in English back. After losing so many years. What a shame. What waste. And critics of the English language, if you want to say anything, please do so in Tagalog.
