Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus explained its side on the recent study released by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) saying that “it was too mathematical.”

“The UNESCO model was based on mathematical model, while we have the hard facts. We have built down to the schools population. You cannot grow statistics and make conclusions that way,” Lapus said in an interview at the recent 45th Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council Conference and 5th ASEAN Meeting of Ministers of Education (ASED).

Earlier, UNESCO released its 2010 Global Monitoring Report which placed the Philippines behind countries Tanzania and Zambia for reaching the Education for All (EFA) goal of 2015 set by the worldwide organization.

The 2010 report among others said “extreme poverty and regional disparities were at the heart” of the mismatch between the Philippines’ income level and its poor educational outcomes.